Aaron Donald remains out for Rams season opener in Melbourne
6 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 11, 2026, 12:23 AM
Last updated Sep 11, 2026
The Los Angeles Rams will play their season opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, without defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Head coach Sean McVay opted to leave the 35-year-old in California to allow for further physical preparation after his two-year absence from the league. Donald recently signed a one-year contract with the Rams following his retirement after the 2023 season. Braden Fiske, a 2024 second-round draft pick, is expected to fill the defensive tackle position on the depth chart during the Week 1 matchup. Provided his conditioning progresses, Donald is expected to be available for the Rams' next game against the New York Giants on September 21.
- •Aaron Donald will not travel to Melbourne for the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers.
- •The Rams signed the defensive tackle to a one-year deal worth up to $30 million.
- •Braden Fiske will start in place of Donald on the defensive line.
- •The Rams return to SoFi Stadium for a September 21 game against the New York Giants.
- 12:23 AMYahoo Sports — Rams vs 49ers: why is Aaron Donald not playing today?
- 1:08 AMYahoo Sports — Will Aaron Donald play in Week 2? The word is "we'll see"
- 10:50 PMYahoo Sports — Jeff Saturday Questions Aaron Donald’s Return After Rams Star Misses 49ers Opener
- 11:12 PMYahoo Sports — Rams Make Decision on Aaron Donald’s Week 1 Playing Status
- 9:35 PMYahoo Sports — Rams fans to wait at least 2 weeks before Aaron Donald’s return
- 9:22 PMYahoo Sports — When will Aaron Donald actually make his Rams debut in 2026?
"Aaron Donald’s highly anticipated NFL return will have to wait at least another week. The Los Angeles Rams ruled the veteran defensive lineman out of their season opener against the San Francisco 49ers. Donald will not travel with the Rams to Australia for Thursday’s game. Instead, he will remain with the Rams and continue preparing […] The post Jeff Saturday Questions Aaron Donald’s Return After Rams Star Misses 49ers Opener appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
"The Los Angeles Rams finally make a decision on the playing status of Aaron Donald ahead of Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers. The post Rams Make Decision on Aaron Donald’s Week 1 Playing Status appeared first on HEAVY.
"Aaron Donald’s return to the Los Angeles Rams will have to wait as the team prepares for its season opener without the veteran defensive tackle.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 11, 2026, 12:23 AMRams vs 49ers: why is Aaron Donald not playing today?
Aaron Donald returned to the Los Angeles Rams but will not suit up against the San Francisco 49ers.
- Yahoo SportsSep 10, 2026, 1:08 AMWill Aaron Donald play in Week 2? The word is "we'll see"
Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald didn't make the trip to Australia, which obviously means he won't play in the Week 1 game against the 49ers.
- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 10:50 PMJeff Saturday Questions Aaron Donald’s Return After Rams Star Misses 49ers Opener
Aaron Donald’s highly anticipated NFL return will have to wait at least another week. The Los Angeles Rams ruled the veteran defensive lineman out of their season opener against the San Francisco 49ers. Donald will not travel with the Rams to Australia for Thursday’s game. Instead, he will remain with the Rams and continue preparing […] The post Jeff Saturday Questions Aaron Donald’s Return After Rams Star Misses 49ers Opener appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
- Yahoo SportsSep 8, 2026, 11:12 PMRams Make Decision on Aaron Donald’s Week 1 Playing Status
The Los Angeles Rams finally make a decision on the playing status of Aaron Donald ahead of Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers. The post Rams Make Decision on Aaron Donald’s Week 1 Playing Status appeared first on HEAVY.
- Yahoo SportsSep 8, 2026, 9:35 PMRams fans to wait at least 2 weeks before Aaron Donald’s return
Aaron Donald’s return to the Los Angeles Rams will have to wait as the team prepares for its season opener without the veteran defensive tackle.
- Yahoo SportsSep 8, 2026, 9:22 PMWhen will Aaron Donald actually make his Rams debut in 2026?
It shouldn't be too long before we see Aaron Donald terrorizing opposing quarterbacks for the Rams again.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
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