Aaron

Donald

The Rams face the Bills in Week 5’s Monday Night Football game, so this is Los Angeles’ first practice. Donald is on track to play, though the team could be cautious with his return. Rams CB Jaylen Watson (shoulder) will also be limited today.

McVay said he expects Donald to practice this week and hopefully play when the Rams take on the Bills on Monday Night Football in Week 5. Donald has totaled four tackles in his first two games with the Rams this season and has yet to record a sack in 68 defensive snaps. The Rams will release their first injury report on Thursday, so we’ll get a better sense of Donald’s status then.

Rapoport also said Donald’s absence is more than just a precautionary measure, and compared his sidelining to the way the Rams handled Myles Garrett’s knee injury, with a long-term view in mind. Check back next week to see if Donald is feeling well enough to resume practicing.

Donald was unable to practice on Wednesday and Thursday. His participation level on Friday has not yet been released, but clearly, he isn’t feeling up to playing this week. The Rams will also be without their No. 2 perimeter CB Jaylen Watson (shoulder).

The 35-year-old, recently unretired defensive tackle’s back is hurting. He might have a chance to play this week, but his Friday participation level should shed more light on his current state. Stay tuned.

Earlier today, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Donald “hopes” to play on Monday night. A few hours later, Rams coach Sean McVay said he hopes Donald will play this week, but that they need to listen to how Donald is feeling after going through team drills. Donald is evidently feeling good following Friday’s practice and should apparently be expected to face the Giants.

Donald was reportedly close to being ready for the Rams’ season opener in Australia, but now the future Hall of Famer hopes to return in the Rams’ official home opener on Monday Night Football against the Giants. While Donald playing in Week 2 is still not a sure thing, he logged a full practice Thursday, which is a good sign with one practice still to go this week.

Donald was kept off the Week 1 roster for last week’s opener against the 49ers, and the Rams did receive a two-game roster exemption for Donald after he agreed to return. Speaking on Monday, McVay said Donald will “continue to work his process” and that the team will see how things look from there. With the Rams losing Myles Garrett (knee) for at least the next four games, it’s safe to assume they would like to get Donald on the field sooner rather than later.

He’s still “working himself into football shape,” per Rapoport and Adam Schefter. We think the Rams D/ST will manage with merely Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie as major additions heading into Week 1’s showdown with the 49ers in Australia.

Garrett, 30, has been sidelined by swelling in his knee since late July. His return to practice puts him on track to play in Week 1 against the 49ers on Thursday. Donald’s status is tougher to decipher. The fact that he is practicing is a great sign, but the Rams could still slow-play his return to action. Rams coach Sean McVay said he will provide an update on their Week 1 statuses on Tuesday. Stay tuned.