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    Palmer: Donald gauging ability to return in 2026

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    LA Defensive Tackle #99
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    Bleacher Report’s James Palmer reports Aaron Donald is “putting himself through football workouts” to determine if he is in shape to return in 2026.

    Palmer was quick to point out in his report that Donald has always been a player who has been in great shape, but that “there are differences in football shape and staying in shape.” Donald was spotted working out at the Rams’ facilities last week. Palmer said he believes Donald is currently in the process of checking boxes to evaluate where he stands physically and whether or not he can return to the field and play at a high level after two years away from the game. The Rams aren’t actively pursuing Donald or discussing money with him, per Palmer, but it’s clear the door is opened for him to return if he chooses to do so. Veterans will report to Rams camp on July 25th, which could serve as a soft deadline for when we might expect to get word on a decision from Donald.
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  • LA Defensive Tackle #99
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    Rumors have continued to circulate about a potential return for the 10-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle. We had yet to see any substance beyond the rumors; that is, until now. There appears to still be hurdles to clear in a potential return after Donald’s retirement following the 2023 season, but this is the first time we’ve seen more than relayed quotes from league talking heads. A one-year deal could make sense as the Rams continue their push for a Super-Bowl-or-bust 2026 season, although the avenue for a multi-year deal remains open considering veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford recently signed a one-year extension that keeps him in Los Angeles through 2027.
  • LA Defensive Tackle #99
    “Nobody said that,” Schefter then said, noting that everyone involved is downplaying this. Donald almost undoubtedly wouldn’t go through a training camp, and the Rams have yet to present him with a plan on how he’d be used. Schefter stresses that this is just a “guess” but that the “ingredients are there to make it happen.” Donald Watch will become a big part of the training camp news cycle unless someone involved throws cold water on it.
  • LA Defensive Tackle #99
    Schultz apparently texted Donald, 35, about whether he would consider coming out of retirement to play alongside new Rams EDGE Myles Garrett. Per Schultz, Donald responded by saying he is “for sure flirting with the idea,” and if he can “find the fire, it’s a possibility.” Donald also noted that this season’s Super Bowl will be hosted at the Rams’ SoFi Stadium, which appeals to him. Donald is still on the Rams’ reserve/retired list, so his 2024 salary can be reinstated if he decides he would like to return. According to Over The Cap, the Rams have $16.3 million in salary cap space this season. A potential return should not be expected. Retired players entertain returns from time to time, but most of the time, they decide to stay put. To be fair to Donald, though, it does seem like he is at least mildly weighing his options.
  • FA Defensive Tackle #99
    Donald has flirted with the possibility of retiring before, but the 32-year-old, future hall of famer, has officially called it quits. You won’t find many players with a resumé as decorated as Donald’s. The former No. 13 overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft is a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has been named eight times as a First-team All-Pro, and was voted as a Pro Bowler in each of the 10 seasons he played. Donald steps away from the game tied for 40th in career sacks (111.0), and never totaled fewer than five sacks in a season. Blessed with a clean bill of health for the majority of his career, Donald played in all but nine regular season games during his tenure, and was an integral part of the Rams’ 2021 Super Bowl run. Truly one of the best to ever do it, Donald’s retirement creates a massive void along the Rams’ defensive line. He restructured his contract shortly before retiring, helping to free up $9.2 million in cap space for the 2024 season.
  • LA Running Back #23
    Aaron Donald is also getting the week off. The Rams are locked into either the No. 6 or No. 7 seed for the playoffs, so there is almost nothing for them to play for this week. Ronnie Rivers, Royce Freeman, and Zach Evans will all have a shot at seeing more work in Week 18. Rivers was the only backup to see snaps last week, making him the next man up.
  • LA Defensive Tackle #99
    Donald was added to the injury report on Saturday because of tightness in his groin but appears to be good to go. The future Hall of Famer is having a down year for his lofty standards. Through 13 weeks, Donald has just six sacks. He should be able to up that number by one or two versus Washington this week. Sam Howell leads the NFL in sacks taken, averaging 4.5 sacks per game.
  • LA Defensive Tackle #99
    Donald missed the last six games of the season with an ankle injury. Getting cleared for workouts in February gives him a chance to be ready for the start of OTAs. Donald was linked to retirement after winning a Super Bowl last offseason but confirmed he intends to play in 2023.

  • LA Defensive Tackle #99
    31-year-old Donald heads into the offseason having missed the final six games of the season with his ankle injury. Donald pondered retirement last offseason while coach Sean McVay seems to be preparing to jump ship. Due nearly $30 million between salary and roster bonuses, we find it difficult to believe Donald will seriously consider hanging it up.

  • LA Defensive Tackle #99
    No surprises here as the Rams are just looking to finish strong. Baker Mayfield has helped infinite the Rams’ offense in his quest to prove he’s still starting material.

  • LA Defensive Tackle #99
    No surprises here as the Rams ruled most of these players earlier in the week. Donald is likely done for the year because of an ankle issue. He should land on injured reserve once the team finally gives up hope on him returning for a few meaningless games.

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    Levi Wallace retired from the NFL after seven seasons.

    Wallace did not play in the league last season, last suiting up for the Broncos in 2024. The 2018 UDFA appeared in 96 games during his career while making 72 starts, with his most notable seasons coming with the Bills. The 31-year-old corner totaled 56 pass breakups and 12 interceptions in his career.
  • LA Defensive Tackle #99
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    Bleacher Report’s James Palmer reports Aaron Donald is “putting himself through football workouts” to determine if he is in shape to return in 2026.

    Palmer was quick to point out in his report that Donald has always been a player who has been in great shape, but that “there are differences in football shape and staying in shape.” Donald was spotted working out at the Rams’ facilities last week. Palmer said he believes Donald is currently in the process of checking boxes to evaluate where he stands physically and whether or not he can return to the field and play at a high level after two years away from the game. The Rams aren’t actively pursuing Donald or discussing money with him, per Palmer, but it’s clear the door is opened for him to return if he chooses to do so. Veterans will report to Rams camp on July 25th, which could serve as a soft deadline for when we might expect to get word on a decision from Donald.
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    Panthers re-signed OG Brady Christensen.

    Christensen started four of the eight games he appeared in for the Panthers last season and has started 34 games over his five-year career. He played exclusively at right guard in 2025 before a torn Achilles ended his season in Week 8. He earned a PFF offensive grade of 74.6 while allowing just one sack and five pressures.
  • NO Running Back #41
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Alvin Kamara’s base salary was reduced to $6 million for 2026.

    Kamara can earn up to another $2.5 million via incentives. He was initially set to make up to $11.5 million before his deal was restructured on Wednesday. The Saints were pushing for him to take a pay cut this offseason, but it initially looked like Kamara wasn’t going to budge. Instead, he gives some money back and gets to stay in New Orleans, where he has been adamant about wanting to finish his career. Kamara will serve as Travis Etienne’s backup, likely seeing most of his work on passing downs. He could have some FLEX value in PPR leagues, but Etienne should see most of the carries and still some targets.
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport believes that Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (knee) is “on track to be on the field Week 1.”

    Mahomes is rehabbing ahead of schedule after a torn ACL/LCL ended his 2025 season. If all goes according to plan, it will be just under a nine-month recovery for him, which is on the quicker end of most ACL/LCL recover anticipated timelines. Rapoport reports Mahomes has been spending “seven hours or so in the building rehabbing as much as humanly possible.” It’s still an awfully optimistic timeline but Mahomes is targeting a Week 1 return and it “certainly does seem like Mahomes is on track to be on the field Week 1", according to Rapoport.
  • DAL Wide Receiver #3
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    Cowboys WR George Pickens will officially play under the franchise tag for the 2026 season.

    The July 15th deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term deals came and went without Pickens signing a new deal. Cowboys executive vice president Steven Jones had said in April that “there won’t be negotiations on a long-term deal” with Pickens. The 25-year-old wide receiver showed up for mandatory minicamp and does not plan to hold out of training camp, either. He will play on a $27.3 million franchise tag and will either reach a contract extension after the season or enter unrestricted free agency in 2027. Pickens will be the WR2 across from CeeDee Lamb in 2026; both have ceilings in the fantasy WR1 range.
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    Will Grier announced his retirement from the NFL after seven seasons.

    Grier was drafted by the Panthers in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He made two starts as a rookie and hasn’t seen the field since. Grier spent time with five different teams after being released by the Panthers. He returned to Charlotte this offseason but decided against another year of football. His career ends with 228 yards, zero touchdowns, and four interceptions.
  • NO Running Back #41
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    NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reports that Alvin Kamara and the Saints are finalizing a “new deal.”

    It’s almost certainly a pay cut for Kamara, but the Saints could also be throwing him a bone with incentives or extra years on his deal. The Saints spent much of the offseason trying to get Kamara to agree to a new deal but had little leverage to make it happen. Kamara has talked about wanting to finish his career in New Orleans, so he may have decided to concede financially in order to stay put. He will likely pitch in on passing downs to take some work of Travis Etienne’s plate. Etienne, however, still figures to see the bulk of the carries and some designed targets.
  • MIA Wide Receiver #1
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    The South Florida Sun Sentinel’s David Furones believes Jalen Tolbert “appeared to be” one of Malik Willis’ top targets in OTAs and minicamp.

    Furones also lists Greg Dulcich as a player that was a primary receiver for Willis, but we’ve done plenty of offseason hype on Dulcich. Tolbert appears to be a potential “someone has to catch a ball here” deep league pick, as he’s well off the fantasy radar at this point. He’s not off the board among the top-100 wideouts in ADP. The ceiling is likely low, but if he can emerge as the top option amongst Miami’s wideouts, Tolbert could be a viable WR3/WR4 at points this year.
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    Texans T Braden Smith (neck) underwent neck surgery earlier this offseason and is “tracking towards a full recovery for training camp.”

    Smith, who received a two-year, $25 million contract from the Texans this offseason, was limited during the spring as he dealt with the aftermath of the surgery. It’s not exactly a promising sign for his availability that NBC’s Aaron Wilson went with the term “tracking towards” here. Trent Brown figures to see some time with the ones early in training camp.