The New York Giants know they won't have to deal with one future Hall of Fame defensive lineman in Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Rams, but aren't sure about the other.
Myles Garrett was placed on injured reserve (IR) with a knee issue this week and will miss at least the next four games. Aaron Donald came out of retirement this summer and has been working his way back into shape.
Donald, 35, missed the Rams' game against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, last Thursday and has yet to be greenlit for this week's game against the Giants.
"He's going to continue to work his process, and we'll see what that looks like," Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Monday.
The Giants aren't taking any chances. They are preparing for
this game as if Donald will play and play at a high level.
"Expect him to play like Aaron Donald, which is a game-wrecking type of player inside," head coach John Harbaugh said on Wednesday. "Penetrating, active movement player who can wreck the game, really any particular play in a lot of different ways, run and pass. So, we're expecting him to play. We're planning for him to be out there."
"He's one of the most dominant players that I've watched. So, getting the chance to go out there and compete against him, it's going to be really cool just to be on the same field as him," Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart added. "He's a great player, and I've heard that he's kept himself in really good shape. So, it's going to be a great competition."
Donald retired in March of 2024. He last played in an NFL game in January of that year, a 24-23 Rams loss to the Detroit Lions in the NFC Wild Card round.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants' John Harbaugh expects to face a 'game-wrecking' Aaron Donald
