Aaron Donald’s Rams return puts two-year layoff in focus

His one-year deal begins at $20 million.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 21 min read

Will Aaron Donald be the same player after a 2-year break? 🤔 @PriscoCBS questions if the future Hall of Famer can have Via @NFLonCBS on X

What happened: Donald has been activated for the NFL opener after returning to the Los Angeles Rams. The future Hall of Famer last played before stepping away for two years.

Why it matters: The Rams are counting on Donald’s impact as they enter the 2026 season. His return adds a major test of how quickly an elite defender can regain form after an extended absence.

By the numbers: Donald’s return follows a two-year break and comes on a one-year contract starting at $20 million.

What to watch: Watch for Donald’s workload and effectiveness when the Rams open the season.

Sources

@NFLonCBS 2026-09-02T05:42:26.713446+00:00

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