Aaron Donald will not play in Rams’ opener against 49ers in Australia: When will legendary DT make 2026 debut?

The NFL will have to wait at least another week to see Aaron Donald return to game action for the first time since the 2023 season. Donald will not play for the Los Angeles Rams in their 2026 opener on Thursday against the San Francisco 49ers, coach Sean McVay announced Tuesday. What's more, the star defensive tackle will not even travel with the team to Australia, according to ESPN and NFL Media.

Since he announced his return to football on Aug. 30, Donald has been in the midst of a ramp-up period that will now extend into at least Week 2. He was a regular at the Rams' facility even before he officially halted his retirement, as he conducted multiple workouts to determine his ability to step back into action after two years away from the game.

The longer Donald waits to make his season debut, the more likely it becomes that he is available deep into what could be a Super Bowl season. The Rams would clearly prefer their prized late-summer addition to be in the lineup during their postseason push if it means sacrificing a game or multiple at the start of the year.

When he does suit…

Original source: https://www.cbssports.com/