Aaron Donald to miss LA Rams' NFL season opener against 49ers in Melbourne

Aaron Donald will not play in the Los Angeles Rams' NFL season opener against the San Francisco 49ers at the MCG on Friday morning. Donald is coming out of retirement in 2026 after leaving the game back in 2024.

Coach Sean McVay said Donald would not be joining the team for the game in Melbourne, citing the need for him to continue his preparations. "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," McVay said.

The 35-year-old Donald rejoined the Rams in August after two seasons away from the team, and has been working his way back into game shape. However, with a 16-hour flight ahead of the game, McVay decided it was best to keep Donald at home.

"He's as great a competitor as there is," McVay said. "Wants to be out there. Wants to influence and affect positive change for us. But I think he also understands there's a necessary ramp up."

Donald was coy on his playing status after a scheduled day off from practice to focus on his cardio, saying he has been pleased with how his body is responding to his return to football. "I'm feeling good, knocking the rust off," Donald said. "I thought I'd be a lot more rusty than I was, but taking it day by day."

The Rams have spent the previous seasons developing their defence for a future without Donald, including drafting Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske, signing Poona Ford in free agency, and trading for reigning defensive player of the year Myles Garrett.

McVay said his trust in that group to perform at a high level factored into the call to not rush Donald back onto the field immediately. "Every single game is so important. We want him out there. But I do think what's great for our group is (I) feel great about the guys that are going to be playing in Australia," McVay said. "Any good defensive line I've been a part of, there's a rotation where you got to have five, six guys that play and play meaningful snaps."