Shula puts Aaron Donald’s veteran presence at center of opener prep

Donald’s one-year deal starts at $20 million

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 71 min read

DC Chris Shula on Aaron Donald's veteran presence. https://t.co/iMlKe9a5TG Via @RamsNFL on X

What happened: Donald has returned after a two-year layoff and been activated for the NFL opener. His participation has been managed day to-day during the buildup to Thursday’s game in Australia.

Why it matters: A decision on his Week 1 status will shape the defensive rotation after the long absence. The opener offers the first test of how quickly his leadership translates to game day.

By the numbers: Donald’s one-year contract starts at $20 million and can reach $30 million through playoff incentives.

What to watch: Watch for the final call on Donald’s availability before Thursday’s opener in Australia.

Sources

@RamsNFL 2026-09-07T21:56:37.111997+00:00

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