Aaron Donald will be 35 when he takes the field for the Los Angeles Rams for the first time in two seasons Monday, Sept. 21.
“When I was 35 years old, I was still kicking doors down,’’ Jackie Slater, another Rams legend, told USA TODAY Sports. “I'd run out and take on a train. And so I'm not concerned about that.’’
It will not be a matter of helping Donald get revved up. According to Slater, the Hall of Fame offensive linemen, the focus should be on monitoring Donald closely and managing him wisely as he plays for the first time in two seasons.
Donald is expected to start when the Rams play the New York Giants on “Monday Night Football’’ at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
“I hope that they don't just throw him in there and leave him in there like
they've done year after year with starters,’’ said Slater, who played for the Rams from 1976 to 1995. “The guy ain't played in two years.
“There's going to be some nicks and stuff that's going to occur, in my opinion. Maybe nothing major, but just little aggravating things that might slow him down here and there. So we got to expect a little bit of that because he's a dynamically explosive guy.’’
Donald did not play in the Rams’ season opener, a 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia.
Aaron Donald predictions: What’s the plan for Rams legend in return tonight?
Jay Glazer is among several NFL experts who have provided insight on the Rams’ plans for Donald during his expected start against the Giants.
NFL insider Jay Glazer said on FOX NFL Sunday that he’d texted with Donald on Saturday.
"He’s going to play in a rotation,’’ Glazer said. “The last phase of him officially being back is just getting that first game under his belt."
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network has said Donald is “probably going to play, let’s say, 20 to 30 snaps. That is going to be a big-time addition to their defense.”
Mike Garafolo of NFL Network also said he expects Donald to play about 30 snaps.
Aaron Donald endorses caution
Aaron Donald played 10 seasons in the NFL before his two-year retirement. And he had some thoughts before Monday.
"I'm 35, I didn't play football in two years, so you have to be smart," Donald said, per Sarah Barshop of ESPN. "Even if I feel good, you still have to be smart."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Donald returns after 2 years away. One Rams legend has a warning
