The Los Angeles Rams are building toward a season with real Super Bowl aspirations, and their offseason spending backs that up. Matthew Stafford stayed in place at quarterback, and the front office brought in cornerback Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson before landing the biggest name of the offseason in Myles Garrett.
Then came a twist nobody had on their radar as Aaron Donald agreed to unretire and return to L.A. That reunion, however, is going to have to wait. Head coach Sean McVay confirmed Tuesday that Donald will sit out the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, meaning his return won’t come until at least Week 2.
Garrett, on the other hand, is trending toward his Rams debut in that same game. McVay confirmed the star pass rusher will be good to go against San Francisco. Still, Garrett’s name wasn’t the only one worth watching on Los Angeles’ first injury report of the week.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
Seven players total showed up on Tuesday’s report (h/t Sarah Barshop). Donald was listed as limited, though that came as part of a planned rest day rather than any injury concern.
Tight end Tyler Higbee and offensive tackle Alaric Jackson also sat out purely for rest, and linebacker Byron Young got a day off with no injury designation attached. Garrett was the real name to watch.
The newly acquired pass rusher missed practice entirely with a knee injury, making him the Rams’ biggest question mark heading into game week. Linebacker Grant Stuard was limited with a hamstring issue, and cornerback Jaylen Watson didn’t practice at all due to a toe injury.
Assuming everyone clears it in time, Garrett will line up opposite Byron Young at outside linebacker, giving Los Angeles two legitimate threats off the edge and arguably one of the better defensive fronts in the league.
With Donald out for at least one more week, Braden Fiske stays in the starting lineup, working the interior alongside Kobie Turner and Poona Ford.
The Rams open their season against the 49ers on Thursday in Melbourne, Australia, with kickoff scheduled for 8:35 p.m. ET.
