Is Aaron Donald injured? Here's why Rams star is not playing vs 49ers despite coming out of retirement | Hindustan Times

Aaron Donald will miss the Los Angeles Rams’ season opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, as he continues his return from retirement.The three-time Defensive Player of the Year came out of retirement and rejoined the Rams on August 30, 2026, after missing the 2024 and 2025 seasons.Head coach Sean McVay said Donald would not travel to Australia for the long trip. The Rams want to bring him back slowly instead of rushing him into action at age 35. “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 Tuesday.“He’s as great a competitor as there is,” McVay added. “Wants to be out there. Wants to influence and affect positive change for us. But I think he also understands there’s a necessary ramp up.”Aaron Donald’s absence means fans will have to wait to see him line up alongside Myles Garrett. The two are among the NFL’s most dominant pass rushers. Donald has 111 career sacks in 154 regular-season games, while Garrett has 125.5 sacks in 134 games.Garrett is expected to make his Rams debut after being limited for much of training camp because of a knee injury. He has also enjoyed getting to know Donald.“He smiles more than I thought,” Garrett said. “You see him on the field, he don't look like he smiles ever. But, yeah, he has a good sense of humor.”Also Read: Are George Kittle and Nick Bosa playing tonight vs Rams? Latest 49ers injury updates for NFL Week 1Depth chartHere's the projected depth charts for the San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams Week 1 matchup:San Francisco 49ersOffense QB: Brock Purdy, Mac Jones, Kurtis RourkeRB: Christian McCaffrey, Kaelon Black, Jordan JamesFB: Kyle JuszczykWR (L/X): Mike Evans, Demarcus RobinsonWR (R/Z): Deebo Samuel Sr., Jordan WatkinsWR (S/slot): De’Zhaun Stribling, Jacob CowingTE: George Kittle, Jake Tonges, Luke FarrellLT: Trent Williams, Enrique Cruz Jr.LG: Carver Willis, Connor ColbyC: Jake Brendel, Jarrett PattersonRG: Dominick PuniRT: Colton McKivitz, Vederian LoweDefense LDE: Keion White, Khalid KareemLDT: Osa Odighizuwa, C.J. WestRDT: C.J. West / Gracen Halton (Alfred Collins out; James Thompson Jr. also in mix)RDE: Nick Bosa, Romello HeightWLB: Dre Greenlaw, Garret WallowMLB: Fred Warner, Tatum BethuneSLB: Jaden Dugger / Luke GiffordLCB: Renardo Green, Jack JonesRCB: Deommodore Lenoir, Ephesians PrysockNB: Upton StoutSS: Malik Mustapha, Marques Sigle, Ashtyn DavisFS: Ji’Ayir Brown, Siran NealSpecial Teams K: Eddy PiñeiroP: Corliss WaitmanLS: Jon WeeksPR/KR: Jacob Cowing / Deebo Samuel Sr. (and others)Los Angeles RamsOffense QB: Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett, Ty SimpsonRB: Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Ronnie RiversWR (L/X): Davante Adams, Konata MumpfieldWR (R/Z): Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell, CJ DanielsWR (S/slot): Jordan Whittington, Xavier SmithTE: Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Terrance Ferguson, Davis Allen, Max KlareLT: Alaric Jackson, David QuessenberryLG: Steve Avila, Bill Murray / Beaux LimmerC: Coleman Shelton, Dylan McMahonRG: Kevin Dotson, Beaux LimmerRT: Warren McClendon Jr.Defense (note: Aaron Donald out) DE: Braden Fiske (starting in place of Aaron Donald), Tyler DavisNT: Poona Ford, Ty HamiltonDT: Kobie Turner, Ty Hamilton / othersLOLB: Byron Young, Josaiah StewartLILB: Nate Landman, Shaun Dolac / Grant StuardRILB: Omar Speights, Grant StuardROLB: Myles Garrett, Desjuan JohnsonLCB: Jaylen Watson, Emmanuel Forbes Jr.RCB: Trent McDuffieNB: Quentin Lake, Josh WallaceSS: Kam Curl, Jaylen McColloughFS: Kamren Kinchens, Tanner IngleSpecial Teams K: Harrison MevisP: Ethan EvansLS: Joe CardonaPR/KR: Xavier Smith / Jordan Whittington (and others)