Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald reportedly will not travel to Melbourne, Australia, for Thursday’s season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, officially ruling him out for Week 1.
Donald, who came out of retirement last month to rejoin the Rams, gave a vague response Monday regarding his travel plans while continuing a progressive conditioning ramp-up.
Donald’s return to the Rams this offseason followed the team’s trade for edge rusher Myles Garrett, sending Jared Verse to the Cleveland Browns in the deal. Donald has said the addition of Garrett to a defensive line that already included Kobie Turner and Byron Young factored into his decision to come back.
Without Donald available, the Rams will rely on Garrett to lead their defensive front against San Francisco in Week 1. Donald retired following the 2023 season as a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, an eight-time first-team All-Pro and a 10-time Pro Bowl selection. He won a Super Bowl with the Rams in February 2022.
The Rams have taken a different travel approach than the 49ers throughout the buildup to the game.
San Francisco flew to Australia last week to acclimate to the time change and complete its final preparations on the ground, while Los Angeles kept its full training schedule at its facility in Woodland Hills, opting to fly in closer to kickoff.
The Rams and 49ers are scheduled to kick off Thursday night in the U.S., which will be Friday morning local time in Melbourne.
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