'It's go time': Report expands on Rams' Donald plans for 'MNF'

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

'It's go time': Report expands on Rams' Aaron Donald plans for 'MNF' against Giants

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Sep 20, 2026 1:37 PM ET

Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald is set to play for the first time since 2023 on "Monday Night Football" against the New York Giants.

The Rams reportedly won't have the same workload for him as when he last suited up for the team. That said, L.A. will count on the three-time Defensive Player of the Year plenty.

Fox Sports' Jay Glazer details Aaron Donald's Week 2 role

"[Donald is] going to start this game tomorrow night; he's going to play in a rotation," Glazer said Sunday morning. "He said, 'Look, it's go time.'"

The 0-1 Rams will need Donald to go full bore against the 1-0 Giants, who look like a different team under new head coach John Harbaugh.

An update on the status of Joe Burrow, Aaron Donald, and more on the latest Inside Scoop with @JayGlazer pic.twitter.com/dWjwV96aRS
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 20, 2026

Led by second-year stars in quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo, the Giants logged 394 yards (229 passing, 165 rushing) in a 28-20 Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Against Dallas, Dart completed 23-of-29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 54 yards. Skattebo, meanwhile, ran for 81 yards and one TD on 18 carries.

Donald's return will help L.A.'s defense, but stopping Dart and Skattebo will be a challenge, especially now that defensive end Myles Garrett (knee) is on injured reserve.

The Rams' pass-rushing and run-stopping depth appeared to be a concern in a 27-7 Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne. L.A. had no sacks and surrendered 174 rushing yards on 30 attempts (5.8 yards per carry, above the league average).

Sure, the Rams — who traveled to Melbourne 28 hours before the game — can blame it on jet lag, but that's not the only reason they flopped in Week 1. L.A.'s defense has more holes than anticipated. The NFC West squad hopes Donald plugs one of them in Week 2. Good thing for the team that he's ready to go.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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