Aaron Donald is set to make his return this week when the Los Angeles Rams take on the New York Giants on Monday night. The game, which takes place at SoFi Stadium, should serve as Donald's homecoming. However, it's been the team's facility in Woodland Hills that has felt like home.
Donald continued to ramp up his preparations throughout the week, working his way back after two years away from the game. Despite his extended absence from the franchise and all the personnel changes that have occurred, the sack artist says he feels like he's been with the team the whole time.
“Like I said, it feels like I was just here last year," said Donald when asked about noticing anything unexpected. "I really feel that way. Sometimes I'll be like, 'Damn, I didn’t
play football in two years.' But being here, being out there again, I kind of forgot that I wasn't playing football for two years. I feel like I'm implemented right back like I never left so I'm feeling good.”
Donald was also asked about what he thinks he'll feel returning to SoFi Stadium.
“I don't know," Donald said. "I didn't really think about that because to me, I know I haven’t played in two years but [after] being back around, I feel like I was just here last year. Time flies by so fast and I forget that I haven’t play football for two years.
"I feel like I'm just back to my normal self and like I was playing last year, even though I wasn't. I'm just going to take it all in, enjoy it, and try to give the fans something to cheer for and enjoy the game and try to come away with a win.”
It does help that in his brief retirement, Donald stayed close to the team, even working out at the facility.
Donald will link up with Kobie Turner and Byron Young for the first time since the two were rookies, with the defense seeking to write a new chapter after their Donald-less unit failed to stop the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Aaron Donald feels like he never left the Rams
