Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Jonah Williams (92) attempts to hold back defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) as a third scuffle escalates into a brawl during a joint preseason camp practice between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Aaron Donald on helmet-swinging incident: 'It was just a practice'

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 8/31/22

Last week, Los Angeles Rams DT Aaron Donald drew the ire of the football world after being involved in a helmet-swinging incident during a joint practice session with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Speaking for the first time since the scuffle, Donald tried to downplay things, opting instead to focus on the regular season ahead.

"It was just a practice. It was football," Donald told the AP's Rob Maaddi. "I don't really wanna go back to nothing negative that happened and talk about something that happened in a practice. My main focus is Buffalo."

Regarding the helmet incident at #Rams #Bengals joint practice last week, Aaron Donald told me: "It was just a practice. It was football. I don't really wanna go back to nothing negative that happened & talk about something that happened in a practice. My main focus is Buffalo."
— Rob Maaddi (@RobMaaddi) August 31, 2022

Donald also assured Maaddi that he had addressed the issue with the team and head coach Sean McVay.

Since the NFL doesn't manage joint practices, Donald's actions don't fall under the league's disciplinary umbrella. That leaves any possible punishment up to the Rams. As of now, no fine or suspension has come from the team.

After the brouhaha last week, the Rams announced they'd handle any discipline for those involved "in-house."

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