NFL insider gives timeline for Aaron Donald’s Rams return

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NFL insider gives timeline for Aaron Donald’s Rams return

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Sep 1, 2026 6:17 PM ET

Aaron Donald is officially back with the Los Angeles Rams after coming out of retirement. The only question is when Donald will play this season.

His status for Week 1 is up in the air with the Rams heading to Australia for the opener. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Dan Graziano mentioned that Week 2 or Week 3 might be “more likely” for Donald to make his much-anticipated return.

“A Week 2 or 3 debut looks more likely than Week 1.”@DanGrazianoESPN on when he believes Aaron Donald might step onto the field for the Los Angeles Rams pic.twitter.com/eFlGhVFTZV
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 1, 2026

Donald coming out of retirement to play for the Rams is something that had been rumored for months. Things intensified when he was spotted at the Rams training facility.

And, finally, the Rams made it official by giving Donald a one-year deal, with the news breaking on Sunday.

Donald said he was seeing if he could do it, which is why it took so long before he made the choice to unretire and play for the Rams again.

The Rams acquired Myles Garrett in a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns on June 1, and they also landed Pro Bowl cornerback Trent McDuffie in a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the offseason.

So, there is plenty of Super Bowl buzz in LA, and everyone will wait to see when Aaron Donald will make his official return.

The Rams face the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium on Monday Night Football in Week 2, which would make for a highly anticipated return.

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