Defensive tackle Aaron Donald is expected return to action as the Los Angeles Rams take on the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium on Monday, Sept. 21.
The three-time Defensive Player of the Year had spent two years away from the Rams and the NFL after retiring following the 2023 season.
Donald, who has started 150 of the 154 regular-season games he’s played, has 543 career tackles (340 solo) and 111 career sacks. He helps bolster a defense for the Rams, who were considered Super Bowl favorites to start the season.
Donald confirmed his plan to return for the Week 2 matchup and that he was feeling up to the challenge when talking to the media on Sept. 18.
"I've been holding up good, feeling good," Donald said. "Back-to-back days this week, so I'm feeling like
myself. It's been a great week."
Donald’s return to action following his retirement comes at a time when the defense will be without edge rusher Myles Garrett, who is on injured reserve.
"It's a bummer and we'll look forward to getting Myles back, and we'll be better when we do get him back," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "But I think in the meantime, to be able to add a veteran presence, a guy that just shows what it looks like, doesn't have to say much. When he speaks, everybody listens.
"But more importantly, like I was mentioning earlier, he just models the way. He's definitely provided a spark for us, and you can see there's a lot of love that his teammates have for him and a lot of respect and admiration just by how he carries himself."
Donald is likely to see a double-team against the Giants with Garrett out. Giants rookie right guard Francis Mauigoa is expected to be Donald's primary matchup.
“Whatever happens, I'm just going to go out there and play my game and just try to do what I can do," Donald said. "I don't know what they're going to do out there. I don't know what I'm going to get.
"All I can know is I got a game plan. I'm going to go out there, execute it, and just try to play ball. That's it."
The Rams are looking for their first win of the season after a disappointing season opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia. Donald did not travel or play in that game.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Aaron Donald playing for Rams on Monday Night Football?
