Rams News: Aaron Donald Won’t Play Vs. 49ers But Myles Garrett ‘Ready To Go’

The Los Angeles Rams begin their regular-season schedule on Thursday against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia, and while it was previously expected that all of their players would be traveling, that is no longer the case.

Head coach Sean McVay revealed that Aaron Donald won’t be making the trip to Melbourne as he still he isn’t ready to play in a game, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:

“I think he’ll be ready to go sooner rather than later, but we’re making a decision that we think is best for him and for our team,” McVay said prior to Tuesday’s practice. “I think what’s cool is you do have such confidence in the group that we do have, with (defensive end) Kobie (Turner), with (defensive end Braden) Fiske, with (nose tackle) Poona Ford, with (defensive end) Tyler Davis, (nose tackle) Ty Hamilton has done a really good job. It will add value when he’s ready to go, but being two years off retirement, he’s attacked this the right way, but it would have been a really quick turnaround.”

Donald admitted earlier this week that he was still “a little rusty,” so it makes sense that the Rams want to give him more time before he finally plays in a game.

The Rams’ second game of the regular season is on Monday, Sept. 21, when they host the New York Giants in their home opener. If all goes well, Donald could make his NFL return at SoFi Stadium.

Meanwhile, McVay confirmed that Myles Garrett will play against the 49ers despite being limited by a knee injury over the past month:

“He’s looked great,” McVay said. “We’ve been smart with Myles, like I’ve kind of told you guys, but his impact has been tremendous, his overall vibe, what kind of teammate he’s been. And so looking forward to getting him out there with the guys and being a great factor for us.”

Garrett is making his highly anticipated debut after the team acquired him in a blockbuster trade earlier this summer. The two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year gives the Rams one of the most feared defensive lines alongside Donald, Byron Young, Kobie Turner and others.

Sean McVay details Rams’ travel plans to Australia

The Rams’ 16-hour flight to Australia took off on Tuesday night, and to help players and staff get used to being in the air for so long, McVay noted the plane is equipped with full-sized beds.

“Full lay-out sleep beds. They’ve got full lay-out to beds, all of our players have that,” McVay said. “You guys love this trip thing, man. Yeah, it is cool. But it’s a big plane, everybody will be able to get fully extended and lay out and be able to get their rest.”