Aaron Donald Says He Feels Sore but Great After Rams Season Debut

The All-Pro tackle logged 32 snaps against the Giants in his first game since ending his retirement, and a bigger workload may come in Week 3.

Aaron Donald made his 2026 season debut in Week 2 when the Los Angeles Rams faced the New York Giants. After the game, the defensive tackle joked that his body was a bit sore, but he also said he feels great, according to Greg Beacham on X. The Rams had said they would bring him along slowly, and they did.

Donald saw action on 32 defensive snaps in total — 14 against the run and 18 rushing the passer. His comeback arrives while Los Angeles is without one of its top edge defenders for the rest of the year.

Rams head coach Sean McVay praised Donald's impact, saying he lifts up everyone around him and that anyone who did not get chills during his introduction was not alive. "Just watch what the hell I do and follow my freaking lead," McVay added. "I love him."

Donald originally walked away from football after the 2023 campaign, capping a 10-year run that included eight All-Pro nods, three Defensive Player of the Year trophies, and ten Pro Bowls. In the 2021 season he helped deliver the franchise's first Super Bowl title since 2000 and earned MVP honors in that game.

Los Angeles plays the Denver Broncos in Week 3, and Donald is expected to carry a somewhat larger workload in that matchup.