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Aaron Donald Skips Australia Opener for Rams
9 Sep
Summary
- Aaron Donald will not travel with the Rams to Australia for Week 1.
- Donald is still ramping up after a two-year break from the NFL.
- The Rams are prioritizing Donald's preparation for Week 2.
Aaron Donald announced his return to the Los Angeles Rams on August 30th. However, he is not expected to participate in the Rams' Week 1 game against the San Francisco 49ers, which is scheduled to take place in Melbourne, Australia. The team is opting to give Donald, who is 35 years old and has been away from the league for two years, more time to prepare.
Donald's absence from the season opener is not a complete surprise, as the Rams have been planning for the possibility throughout the summer. The team's depth on the defensive line, featuring players like Kobie Turner and Poona Ford, has allowed them to manage without him. Donald was placed on the Commissioner Exempt List for two weeks, which does not count against the roster.
This placement provided the Rams with roster flexibility. Donald will officially join the active roster after the Rams play the 49ers on September 10th, when he will be removed from the Commissioner Exempt List. The focus now shifts to getting Donald ready for the Rams' Week 2 home game against the New York Giants.
