Rams get major update on Myles Garrett, Aaron Donald ahead of opener
The Los Angeles Rams were already one of the best teams in the NFL last season, and then they added two future Hall of Famers to their defensive line: Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald.
The Rams went all in for Garrett in June, trading away ascending Pro Bowl talent Jared Verse along with a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a conditional 2029 third-round pick. Donald, meanwhile, opted to come out of retirement and rejoin the team after two years away from the league.
But the availability of both players for the Rams’ Week 1 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday has been the subject of much debate for weeks — Garrett due to a recent knee injury, and Donald because he’s only been practicing with the team for the last week.
On Sunday, though, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler hinted that both players could play in the season opener.
“Myles Garrett had a bit of a knee issue, really didn’t do much at all throughout camp,” Fowler said. “They acquired him in June, brought him in. He hasn’t been on the field a ton, but they’re not really worried. They know he can roll out of bed and get sacks. He’s been ramping up slowly but surely, lifting a lot of weights, now he’s on the practice field. I’m hearing he should be good as well.
The big question mark is Aaron Donald because they just acquired him, signed him last week. His training and all the workouts he did for the team have gone great. Looks like himself, but you know he’s 35 years old; they want to make sure they ramp him up the right way. He made the trip, he might as well try to play, could be a pitch-count situation if he is out there.”
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The 49ers are one of the toughest Week 1 draws for any team, even one as good as the Rams. But even if Garrett and Donald couldn’t go, you’d still like their chances. They’ve also got Byron Young, Kobie Turner, and Braden Fiske, three of the better young defensive linemen in the league, along with veteran tackle Poona Ford and several playmakers in the secondary, including All-Pro corner Trent McDuffie.
Head coach Sean McVay has played down the severity of Garrett’s injury all training camp, so all signs point to him being a full go in Week 1. As for Donald, he traveled with the team, which suggests they’re planning on playing him. And given his history with McVay and the Rams, there’s little reason to think he won’t have a grasp on the defense.
Ultimately, this is a team playing for February, not September. There’s no need to rush Donald back just yet — though getting him out there for at least a few snaps would be a great way to kick off the new season.
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