WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald said Friday, September 18, 2026, that he plans to make his 2026 season debut on Monday Night Football against the New York Giants, according to NFL.com, the Rams’ official site, and ESPN.

“That’s the plan,” Donald told reporters after practice. “Two practices, today, have another practice tomorrow, and then we’ll see, but feeling good,” NFL.com and therams.com reported.

Why he sat Melbourne

Donald did not travel with the Rams for their season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia — a 27–7 defeat — choosing to stay in Southern California to continue his ramp-up after ending retirement, NFL.com reported. The Rams also played that opener without Myles Garrett, who is dealing with a knee injury that required surgery and a move to injured reserve, per the same account.

Donald officially rejoined the Rams on Aug. 30, 2026, after a summer of flirtation with a comeback that followed Los Angeles’ June 1 trade for Garrett. He had not played in an NFL game since retiring after the 2023 season. The truncated prep window made a 16-hour Australia trip a poor fit; the extra week of practice appears aimed at a SoFi Stadium return, NFL.com and the Rams said.

Kickoff for Rams–Giants is listed for Monday night on ESPN and ABC (5:15 p.m. PT / 8:15 p.m. ET per team and league schedules). Snap count remains undecided; Donald and the coaching staff still have Saturday practice before a final availability call.

What Donald said about SoFi

Asked how it will feel to run out at SoFi again, Donald said he has barely registered the two-year gap: “I know I ain’t play in two years, but being back around, I feel like I was just here last year… I’m just going to take it all in, enjoy it, try to give the fans something to cheer for… and try to come away with a win,” NFL.com quoted.

He also said this week’s 11-on-11 work has him “looking more like myself,” per the Rams’ official write-up. Franchise legend talk is free; game snaps are not. Monday night is the first real test of whether the unretired Donald is a situational pass-rush spark or something closer to the old three-time Defensive Player of the Year shape — and the only plan on the record so far is that he intends to be dressed for it.

Sources