McVay says Donald's return not certain yet

After the Los Angeles Rams played their first preseason game on Saturday, coach Sean McVay addressed the much-anticipated possible return of defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Donald, a 10-time Pro Bowl player and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, has been away from the game since 2023. NFL insiders had reported that Donald's return was quite likely, with some suggesting he would announce his intentions once the Rams returned to their training facility in Woodland Hills on Aug. 7. However, McVay's comments on Saturday night indicated that no decision has been made yet. He said, "We are not at that point quite yet," and emphasized that Donald has earned the right to set his own benchmarks for readiness. McVay explained that Donald needs to determine if he can stack back-to-back days and perform at the level he expects of himself. The coach expressed hope that a decision would come sooner rather than later but declined to set any invisible deadline. The Rams clearly want Donald to return, and Donald would like to return if his 35-year-old body cooperates. However, the situation is not as certain as some reports have suggested. Donald's desire to avoid looking diminished is a key factor; he does not want to be seen as selfishly chasing a Super Bowl ring but rather as a valuable addition to a contender. McVay's comments confirm that Donald is taking a cautious approach, and the team respects his process. The timeline remains unclear, but McVay indicated that they might be closer to a decision than not.