The Los Angeles Rams officially welcomed defensive tackle Aaron Donald back on Sunday, Aug. 30.
On his second day back with the team, he did not participate in practice, but it was a planned absence.
Rams coach Sean McVay continues to take it “a day at a time” when it comes to Donald and his process to get ready for the defensive tackle’s first NFL season since 2023.
Advertisement
The three-time Defensive Player of the Year helped lead the Rams to victory in Super Bowl 56 in the years before his brief retirement.
“This has never been done before,” McVay said. “I think him being able to help guide us and then being able to trust Reggie (Scott) and what we think is best for the ramp-up is what we’re going to do.”
Scott oversees the Rams’ medical and physical rehabilitation staff.
McVay indicated that Donald “did a lot of stuff. It was inside, off the field.”
1 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
When it comes to fan avidity, Bills Mafia reigns supreme. On the other hand, fans of the New York Jets and New York Giants have some work to do. According to the inaugural “Nielsen Scarborough NFL Fandom Index” from media audience research firm Nielsen, the Buffalo Bills have the best fandom in the league. Bills fans scored 208 on the new index, which takes into account eight key metrics, Nielsen announced in a press release. The key metrics, all from Nielsen’s own data are apparel purchases, event attendance, streaming, social media following, TV viewership, radio listening, betting intent, and overall interest level. The firm noted that fanbases in Philadelphia and Cincinnati both ranked in the top five across several categories, which pushed Eagles and Bengals fans near the top of the index despite “neither lead[ing] a single metric outright.” New York 30
(Leslie Barbaro, NorthJersey.com via USA TODAY Network)
1 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
When it comes to fan avidity, Bills Mafia reigns supreme. On the other hand, fans of the New York Jets and New York Giants have some work to do. According to the inaugural “Nielsen Scarborough NFL Fandom Index” from media audience research firm Nielsen, the Buffalo Bills have the best fandom in the league. Bills fans scored 208 on the new index, which takes into account eight key metrics, Nielsen announced in a press release. The key metrics, all from Nielsen’s own data are apparel purchases, event attendance, streaming, social media following, TV viewership, radio listening, betting intent, and overall interest level. The firm noted that fanbases in Philadelphia and Cincinnati both ranked in the top five across several categories, which pushed Eagles and Bengals fans near the top of the index despite “neither lead[ing] a single metric outright.” New York 30
(Leslie Barbaro, NorthJersey.com via USA TODAY Network)
2 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Joe Scarnici, Getty Images)
3 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
San Francisco/ Oakland / San Jose 27
(David Gonzales, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
6 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Diannie Chavez, The Republic via USA TODAY Network)
7 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
8 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
9 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Jess Rapfogel, Getty Images)
10 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(David Butler II, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Quinn Harris, Getty Images)
12 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
13 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Kenneth Richmond, Getty Images)
14 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Grace Smith, IndyStar via USA TODAY Network)
15 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Jeremy Brevard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
16 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Denny Simmons, The Tennessean via USA TODAY Network)
17 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
18 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Bob Self, Florida Times-Union via USA TODAY Network)
19 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Justin Edmonds, Getty Images)
20 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Jeffrey Becker, Imagn Images)
21 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Jamie Sabau, Getty Images)
22 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Andrew Nelles, Tennessean.com via USA TODAY Network)
23 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press via USA TODAY Network)
24 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Greg Fiume, Getty Images)
25 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Justin Berl, Getty Images)
26 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
27 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)
28 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Kayla Wolf, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
29 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Denny Medley, Denny Medley-Imagn Images)
30 / 30
Nielsen ranks most passionate NFL fan bases, from worst to first
(Gregory Fisher, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Will Aaron Donald play for Rams against 49ers?
McVay explained further that among the things that the Rams are in the process of deciding is whether or not Donald will be traveling for the season opener in Australia on Sept. 10.
Advertisement
“I wouldn’t rule anything out yet,” McVay said. “I think sometimes when you put unnecessary parameters or guidelines on something, it can skew things.”
The Rams will open the season as the “home team” on the road against the NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers.
While the Rams look forward to having Donald back on the field this season, McVay does not appear concerned if Donald isn’t ready to play immediately.
“If he’s not ready and that is not what is best for him and for the team, absolutely wouldn’t have him play in Australia unnecessarily,” McVay said.
Advertisement
Donald has played in at least 14 games in nine of the first 10 years of his career. He played in 11 games during the 2022 season.
All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter. Check out the latest edition: Biggest cutdown day developments.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Aaron Donald play in Rams’ season opener vs. 49ers?
