The jury is still out on whether or not Aaron Donald will play in the NFL again, but Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay again made clear the team will welcome him back on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters at training camp, McVay said Donald is still working out to determine if he’s ready to play again:
“He is going through his process and he is putting himself in a position to make a decision. He’s earned the right to be able to do that, and for those of you guys that do know Aaron, he’s very diligent. Anything that he does, he does all in, and so he’s going through a very strict, regimented process that was similar to what he did when he played, see how his body responds and feels. And then we’ve had some things that we’ll just kind of you know check up on each other.
“Then we’ll see when we have more information whether or not we’re going to give it a go, or whether or not he’s going to continue to enjoy what he’s been doing for the last couple years. If that is something that he wants to do, we are going to try to be able to make that happen.”
Rumors of a potential Donald comeback have been circulating for months, especially when the man himself told ESPN’s Pat McAfee he was “for sure” thinking about a comeback following the Rams’ blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett.
A Garrett-Donald pass rush duo would be a historic combination of talent, with 236.5 career sacks and five Defensive Player of the Year awards between them. However, it’s been reported that if he does come back, it could be later in training camp if not during the season and not as an everydown player like he once was.
McVay made clear the team will accept whatever Donald decides:
“I genuinely do not have an answer on whether he is or isn’t. I know he’s preparing himself to be able to make that decision and if he feels good, he’s going to be ready to rock. But if not, he’s earned the right. He doesn’t owe us anything. He’s a special person.”
The Rams are scheduled to open their season on Sept. 10 against the San Francisco 49ers. With Garrett added to a core that was four points from win the NFC last year, they are the consensus favorites to win the Super Bowl at +550 odds.
Donald would obviously help those odds.
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