49ers' Kyle Shanahan reacts to latest Aaron Donald news

Defensive tackle Aaron Donald will not travel with the Los Angeles Rams to Melbourne, Australia, where they will face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1. That is a significant relief for the 49ers, who won't have to worry about containing the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Donald put his retirement on hold and rejoined his former team on a one-year deal. However, he isn't ready to suit up for an NFL game just yet.

"The Rams want to give Donald more time to ramp up before making his much-anticipated return after two seasons of retirement," ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.

Among those relieved to hear that Donald will not join the Rams in Australia is 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, who shared his honest reaction to the news on Wednesday morning (Tuesday night in the United States) ahead of the team's final full practice of the week.

Shanahan had been preparing for the possibility of facing both Donald and defensive end Myles Garrett, whom the Rams acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Browns in June.

"I'm very excited," Shanahan said of learning that Donald would not travel with the Rams. "I told you guys the last time I talked to you guys, he was definitely playing, so I've never been more excited to be wrong about something. So, we're good."

The 49ers will still likely have to contend with Garrett in Week 1. However, they won't have to face Donald until the two teams meet again on December 13 at Levi's Stadium, making the season opener's NFC West showdown a little easier for San Francisco to handle.

The coach was asked to share his actual reaction to the news.

"I just smiled and said, 'That's good,'" Shanahan said. "We're going to have to see him eventually. We play them twice. I was hoping he wouldn't [play]. I was preparing for the worst, and glad that we don't have to see him this week."