Player News
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Donald had his roster exemption lifted by the NFL on Friday, per the league's transaction log. After Donald came out of retirement and signed with the Rams on Aug. 30, the NFL granted the team a two-game roster exemption for the three-time Defensive Player of the Year. While he didn't travel with the team for a Week 1 matchup against the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, he now will be eligible to make his first appearance since the 2023 season on Monday, Sept. 21, against the Giants.
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Head coach Sean McVay said that Donald won't travel to Melbourne, Australia and will be inactive Thursday for the Rams' season opener versus the 49ers, Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports. After officially re-signing with the franchise on a one-year, $20 million deal Aug. 30, Donald will be given time to regain full conditioning as he makes his return from a two-year retirement. Due to the international scheduling, the Rams will benefit from an extended break before their Week 2 matchup with the Giants in a Monday night game Sept. 21. Donald has strong odds of being available for that contest in what would mark the star defensive tackle's first NFL action since Jan. 14, 2024.
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Donald stated only "we're taking it day by day" when asked Monday if he'll travel to Australia and/or play in the Rams' season opener against San Francisco on Thursday, Vincent Bonsignore of the California Post reports. Previous reports indicated that Donald would at least travel to Australia, but it's uncertain if that's still the case. Donald didn't officially unretire until Aug. 30, so he may not be fully ready to return to NFL action after logging his most recent snap during the 2023 season. Even if he does travel and suit up, Donald may be given a reduced workload as he eases his way back from a lengthy hiatus.
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Coach Sean McVay said all Rams players, including Donald, are expected to travel with the team to Australia for next Thursday's Week 1 game against the 49ers, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports. According to Ian Rapoport of ESPN and NFL Network, it remains to be seen if Donald will suit up for the regular-season opener, but as Cameron DaSilva of USA Today points out, it would seem like the defensive lineman has a good chance to play if the team is putting him on a 16-hour flight. Donald just officially rejoined the Rams last weekend, but he's been working out at the facility this summer and getting into game shape. He could be part of the defensive-line rotation against San Francisco, as Los Angeles will likely be trying to make a statement against a division rival.
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Donald is more likely to debut in Week 2 or Week 3 rather than Week 1, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com on NFL Live. Donald just rejoined the Rams on Sunday, and the team could give him some time to ramp up before tossing him into the mix. Even if Donald does wind up sitting up the opener -- which will be played in nine days against the 49ers in Australia -- that will not have much of an effect on the long-term outlook for the loaded Rams defense.
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Scheduled Games
| WK | DATE | OPP | OPP RANK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 09/10 | San Francisco 49ers | 1 |
| 2 | 09/21 | New York Giants | 23 |
| 3 | 09/27 | @Denver Broncos | 16 |
| 4 | 10/04 | @Philadelphia Eagles | 14 |
| 5 | 10/12 | Buffalo Bills | 17 |
| 6 | 10/18 | Arizona Cardinals | 8 |
| 7 | 10/25 | @Las Vegas Raiders | 5 |
| 8 | 11/01 | Los Angeles Chargers | 12 |
| 9 | 11/08 | @Washington Commanders | 27 |
| 10 | 11/15 | @Arizona Cardinals | 8 |
| 11 | BYE | - | - |
| 12 | 11/25 | Green Bay Packers | 24 |
| 13 | 12/03 | Kansas City Chiefs | 32 |
| 14 | 12/13 | @San Francisco 49ers | 1 |
| 15 | 12/20 | Dallas Cowboys | 10 |
| 16 | 12/25 | @Seattle Seahawks | 28 |
| 17 | 01/02 | @Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 29 |
| 18 | 01/10 | Seattle Seahawks | 28 |