Defensive tackle Aaron Donald will not travel to Melbourne, Australia, to play in the Los Angeles Rams' season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, coach Sean McVay said Tuesday.
"He's doing a great job," McVay said. "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. ... He's attacked this the right way, but it would have been a really quick turnaround."
McVay also said defensive end Myles Garrett, who has been dealing with swelling in his knee, will be "ready to go" in Week 1. Garrett, however, did not practice Tuesday, the team said on its official injury report.
"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."
McVay said he didn't want to "put any sort of expectations" on when Donald will play, but that the defensive tackle will be "a big part" of the team when he's ready to go. McVay has been clear since Donald came out of retirement that the Rams would not rush him back on the field.
Donald, who initially retired in March 2024, came out of retirement on Aug. 30. He took part in individual drills that day but did not do 11-on-11 until Sept. 6. He was limited in Tuesday's practice.
"He's as great a competitor as there is, wants to be out there, wants to influence and effect positive change for us," McVay said. "But I think he also understands there's a necessary ramp-up."
On Monday, Donald said he was "feeling really good" but declined to say whether he'd play in Week 1. Donald said he felt "a little rusty" during a few plays of team drills, but he "settled in."
"It isn't where I want to be, but it's pretty damn good, if you ask me," Donald said. "To not play football in two years, to be moving how I'm moving, like I said, it's really no drop-off. It's not where I want to be because I can see it and I know there are things that I want to clean up and I'm going to clean up. The more reps I do, the more I play, it'll get there. But he's still there."
In Melbourne on Wednesday, San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said he was "very excited" to wake up and hear that the 49ers would not have to face Donald in Week 1.
"I told you guys last time I talked to you he was definitely playing, so I've never been more excited to be wrong about something," Shanahan said.
But while Shanahan said he smiled when he saw the news, he knows San Francisco will "have to see him eventually." The Rams play the 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Week 14.
"I was preparing for the worst," Shanahan said. "Glad that we don't have to see him this week."
