Aaron Donald missed Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles due to a back injury that popped up last week. The Los Angeles Rams star has been one of the most durable players throughout his career, and while Sean McVay admitted Donald likely could’ve played if he wanted to, the team wanted to protect him from himself.
Donald will have a little extra time to rest before the Rams’ Week 5 game, which is at home against the Buffalo Bills next Monday night. McVay provided an update on Donald during Monday’s press conference, saying that “the hope” is he’ll be able to play against the Bills.
McVay said Donald is trending toward playing, which is encouraging.
Sean McVay said the "hope" is DE Aaron Donald (back) will play on MNF vs. Bills. "That's
the direction it looks like it's trending in," McVay said.
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) October 5, 2026
Donald sat out Week 1 while still getting back into football shape, but Sunday was his first missed game due to injury. The Rams still managed to come away with the win in Philadelphia, erasing a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win by four.
This season, Donald has four total tackles, one QB hit and a tackle for a loss.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Sean McVay gives update on Aaron Donald's status for Week 5 vs. Bills
