Aaron Donald is looking more comfortable with every game, and the Los Angeles Rams are responding by giving the future Hall of Famer a larger workload. Despite missing Week 4 with a back injury, Donald played his highest snap total of the 2026 season against the Buffalo Bills in Week 5, an encouraging sign as he works his way back into football shape.
Donald admitted that he felt a little rusty following his Week 2 debut against the New York Giants, his first regular-season appearance since the 2023
campaign. After spending two full seasons away from the game, the defensive tackle understandably needed time to rediscover his rhythm in game action. However, his increasing involvement suggests that the adjustment period is beginning to pay dividends.
According to Pro-Football-Reference’s 2026 Rams snap counts, Donald played 33 defensive snaps in Week 2 against New York before seeing his workload increase in Week 3 against Denver. Although his back soreness forced him to sit out the Week 4 matchup against Philadelphia, the Rams did not hesitate to expand his role upon his return.
In Week 5 against Buffalo, Donald played 67% of Los Angeles’ defensive snaps, his highest percentage through his first three appearances of the season. The Rams ultimately lost a 37-34 overtime thriller, but Donald’s increased participation was a positive development for a defense that needs its veteran leader to make an impact.
The numbers matter because Los Angeles is balancing Donald’s ability to disrupt opposing offenses with the physical demands of returning after retirement. Rather than immediately throwing him into a full-time role, the Rams have gradually increased his responsibilities.
Before long, Donald will be on the field to the same capacity that he was pre-retirement. And if that’s the case, the Rams defense will continue to ascend as one of the league’s best defensive units, especially considering the impending return of Myles Garrett.
