The Los Angeles Rams have made a decision on Aaron Donald’s status for Week 1.
Rams coach Sean McVay announced Tuesday that Donald will not play in the team’s Week 1 game against the San Francisco 49ers. ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport reported that Donald is not even making the trip to Australia with the team.
Sources: Rams standout DT Aaron Donald will not travel to Australia for Thursday night’s opener against the 49ers and will be inactive, per me and @rapsheet. The Rams want to give Donald more time to ramp up before making his much-anticipated return after two seasons of… pic.twitter.com/avAbPTtPUA
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2026
This news does not come as a huge surprise. It was reported earlier in the week that Donald’s status for the game was up in the air, as the defensive tackle has had a very limited preseason and will need time to get back up to game speed.
Other reports have suggested that it might not be until Week 3 that Donald makes his return to action. The 49ers game that he is already certain to sit out is the biggest one on the team’s early-season schedule, so there is no advantage to rushing him back.
Even without Donald, the Rams have an embarrassment of riches on their defensive front. Myles Garrett will anchor the group along with Braden Fiske, Poona Ford, Kobie Turner, and Byron Young.
