Aaron Donald reveals his Week 2 status with three words

Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Aaron Donald reveals his Week 2 status with three words

By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Sep 18, 2026 6:45 PM ET

Aaron Donald's last NFL game was on Jan. 14, 2024, when the Los Angeles Rams lost to the Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Round.

Donald decided to come out of retirement, but he missed the Week 1 showdown in Australia against the San Francisco 49ers.

On Friday morning, NFL insider Ian Rapoport said that the "hope and belief" was that Donald would play in the Rams' Week 2 game at SoFi Stadium against the New York Giants on "Monday Night Football."

On Friday afternoon, Donald answered those questions with three words.

"That’s the plan," Donald said when he was asked if he would play on Monday.

Rams DT Aaron Donald asked if he’s playing Monday night vs. the @Giants: “That’s the plan.”
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 18, 2026

Donald later said, "That's all of our plan," regarding him being ready for Week 2.

Earlier on Friday, Donald was on the practice field, but Rams head coach Sean McVay insisted that everything depended on how the veteran felt.

Aaron Donald back out at Rams practice. Sean McVay says he’s hopeful Donald will go for MNF, but they will listen to how Donald is feeling coming off 11-on-11 play. pic.twitter.com/Ebx3YvDPif
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) September 18, 2026

Donald's return comes at a crucial time for L.A. The 49ers had no issues with a 27-7 win over the Rams in Week 1.

Myles Garrett, whom the Rams acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns in June, didn't make a difference in that game. He was then placed on injured reserve, meaning he is out for at least four weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.

So, barring a last-minute change, Donald's first game back in the NFL will come on Monday night in what should be a jam-packed stadium in Inglewood.

Matt Wadleigh

Matt Wadleigh is based in California and born and raised in the San Diego area. He studied print journalism at Fresno State for college and got to watch Paul George, Derek Carr and Davante Adams play in a Bulldogs uniform. His work has been featured at ClutchPoints, Sportscasting, Sporting News, and various USA Today sites, including UCLA Wire, where he was the first managing editor

More must-reads: