Video Aaron Donald’s instant impact, Rams Super Bowl favorites, Are they being overhyped? | FTF Aaron Donald has returned to the Los Angeles Rams after a short retirement. Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, Kevin Wildes, and Greg Jennings ask if he will make an instant impact, and if the Rams being Super Bowl favorites is a cause for concern. Plus, Howie Long joins to discuss the expectations on Aaron Donald in his return to the Los Angeles Rams, and if Fernando Mendoza is ready to start for the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Los Angeles Rams are running a marathon rather than a sprint with Aaron Donald. That’s why Donald wasn’t included in the team's travel party for Thursday night’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia.
Because Donald is not going to play in the opener, Rams coach Sean McVay told reporters on Tuesday.
This is a mild surprise given that McVay said in recent days that all the team's players would travel to Australia.
THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSIBLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!
Aaron Donald No. 99 of the Los Angeles Rams hugs head coach Sean McVay prior to a game against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at Ford Field on Jan. 14, 2024, in Detroit, Mich. (Getty Images)
"He's doing a great job," McVay said of Donald. "I think he'll be ready to go sooner rather than later, but we're making a decision that we think is best for him and for our team.
"He's as great a competitor as there is, wants to be out there, wants to influence and effect positive change for us. But I think he also understands there's a necessary ramp up."
Ultimately, Donald and the Rams decided it was better for the 35-year-old defensive lineman, who came out of retirement on Aug. 30, to continue to prepare for the long haul of the looming season rather than plug him in immediately.
Donald has not played in a game since January 2024.
Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals is sacked by Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth quarter during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Feb. 13, 2022. (Getty Images)
'WE BACK': AARON DONALD RETURNS TO THE RAMS AND A DEFENSE NOW LOADED WITH MYLES GARRETT AND OTHERS
Donald's next opportunity to play will be on Sept. 21 when the Rams host the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.
That gives Donald an extra 10 days to acclimate and prepare for his season.
They see themselves as not just part of the Super Bowl conversation but at the center of it. They felt that way before Donald rejoined the team and still do heading into Thursday night’s game against the 49ers without him.
That's the reason McVay spent a minute discussing the depth of his defensive line.
The Rams want to simply make sure Donald has every chance to prepare for the long haul of the season by getting more time to prepare for its demands.
The last thing the team wants, a source said, is to put Donald in the lineup just a couple of weeks after returning to team practices and expose him to a soft-tissue injury that could linger throughout the season.
So, again, everyone is looking at this as a marathon to run over 16 games and the postseason rather than sprinting off the line in Week 1.
COACH SEAN MCVAY ON AARON DONALD RETURN TO THE LOS ANGELES RAMS: 'WE ARE NOT AT THAT POINT QUITE YET'
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay reacts as players warm up before the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
The Rams are scheduled to depart Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday night, Sept. 8, for the approximately 15-to-16-hour flight to Melbourne.
The team will touch down on Thursday morning (in Australia) due to the 14-hour time difference. The club will basically lose all of Wednesday en route.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
They will check in to their hotel Thursday morning and play the game at 10:35 a.m. on Friday in Melbourne.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 8:35 p.m. ET on Thursday in the United States.
FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO
