Rams' Aaron Donald seeks first sack against Eagles
Los Angeles Rams pass-rusher Aaron Donald has a plan to stop the Eagles’ “Tush Push,” but his focus should be elsewhere when the teams meet on Sunday, like getting his first sack on a Philadelphia quarterback.
In four career games against the Eagles, Donald has just four tackles and six quarterback hits. He may have more sacks (105.5) than any player since entering the league in 2014, but none of them have come against Philadelphia.
That could change this week. The Eagles offensive line has already given up 11 sacks in their first four games, tied for eighth-most in the league, and the team just placed starting right guard Cam Jurgens on injured reserve with a foot injury he suffered against the Commanders.
Jurgens will be replaced by longtime reserve Sua Opeta, who will make just his fifth start since joining the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2019. The fifth-year guard played 43 snaps in relief of Jurgens against the Commanders and drew praise from head coach Nick Sirianni afterward.
"We know he has great power. He really can do the things that we require of our guards to do." Sirianni said, via the team's official website. "And so, we have a lot of faith in him based off his previous games that he's played but you know, that faith really gets built year-in, year-out."
Of course, stopping Donald won’t be Jurgens' job alone, but he’ll see a lot of him this seek. The Rams typically move their All-Pro tackle up and down the line, but they’ll put him over a player with Opeta’s limited experience as much as possible.
Look for lots of double-teams from Philadelphia’s offensive line this week and for Donald to get his first sack on an Eagles quarterback anyway.
The Rams host the Eagles at SoFi Stadium at 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday.
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