Rams’ Donald will not journey to Australia; Garrett ‘able to go’

Defensive deal with Aaron Donald is not going to journey to Melbourne, Australia, to play within the Los Angeles Rams‘ season opener in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers, head coach Sean McVay mentioned Tuesday.

“He’s doing a great job,” McVay mentioned. “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 attacked this the right way, but it would have been a really quick turnaround.”

McVay additionally mentioned defensive finish Myles Garrett, who has been coping with swelling in his knee, will probably be “ready to go” in Week 1.

“He’s looked great,” McVay mentioned. “We’ve been smart with Myles, like I’ve kind of told you guys, but his impact has been tremendous.”

McVay mentioned he did not need to “put any sort of expectations” on when Donald will play, however that the defensive deal with will probably be “a big part” of the crew when he is able to go. McVay has been clear since Donald got here out of retirement that they’d not rush the defensive deal with again on the sector.

Donald, who initially retired in March 2024, got here out of retirement on Aug. 30. He took half in particular person drills that day however didn’t do 11-on-11 till Sept. 6.

“He’s as great a competitor as there is, wants to be out there, wants to influence and effect positive change for us,” McVay mentioned. “But I think he also understands there’s a necessary ramp-up.”

On Monday, Donald said he was “feeling really good,” however declined to say whether or not he’d play in Week 1. Donald mentioned he felt “a little rusty” throughout just a few performs of crew drills, however he “settled in.”

“It isn’t where I want to be, but it’s pretty damn good, if you ask me,” Donald mentioned. “To not play football in two years, to be moving how I’m moving, like I said, it’s really no drop-off. It’s not where I want to be because I can see it and I know there are things that I want to clean up and I’m going to clean up. The more reps I do, the more I play, it’ll get there. But he’s still there.”br/]