Shanahan expects Aaron Donald to play in Rams opener

Donald’s 2024 retirement drew cheers down the hallway.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 71 min read

What was Kyle Shanahan’s feeling regarding Aaron Donald returning to the Rams? “The opposite [of relief].” Shanahan sai Via @LindseyThiry on X

What happened: Asked whether Donald’s return brought any relief, Kyle Shanahan answered, “The opposite.” Los Angeles activated Donald for the opener after his two-season retirement.

Why it matters: The 35-year-old rejoins the Rams on a one-year, $20 million deal. His return puts one of the NFL’s most decorated defenders back into Los Angeles’ front.

By the numbers: Donald is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, 10-time Pro Bowl selection and eight-time first-team All-Pro.

What to watch: The Rams open their season Sept. 10 in Melbourne. Donald’s game-day workload is the next detail to watch.

Sources

@LindseyThiry 2026-09-07T03:45:20.208917+00:00

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