Rams HC Sean McVay noncommittal on Aaron Donald's Week 2 status - Rams Wire

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay isn't tipping his hand on whether Aaron Donald will suit up for Monday Night Football against the New York Giants, saying the Rams simply haven't made a decision yet.

"He's going to continue to work his process," McVay said, "and we'll see what that looks like."

Donald's path back to the field has been one of the defining storylines of the Rams' offseason. After more than a month of speculation, Donald announced he was unretiring and returning to Los Angeles on a one-year deal that can be worth up to $30 million with incentives. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year hadn't played since 2023, but the Rams' trade for Myles Garrett played a role in reigniting his interest in a comeback.

Donald didn't travel with the team for the Week 1 opener against the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, as he continued working back into playing shape. His potential Week 2 debut now carries even more weight after the Rams' defensive front took a significant hit.

Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, struggled in his own Rams debut while playing through knee soreness that had limited him for much of training camp. Garrett will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery and head to injured reserve, ruling him out for a minimum of four games with a possible return in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals.

With Garrett sidelined, the Rams' pass rush could lean even more heavily on Donald if he's cleared to play, alongside Byron Young and Braden Fiske. But McVay isn't rushing the process, leaving Donald's status very much in question heading into a short week before the Rams host the Giants on Sept. 21.