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08/05 21:11 CDT Aaron Donald works out for the Rams in latest step on comeback
path
Aaron Donald works out for the Rams in latest step on comeback path
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --- Aaron Donald formally worked out for the Los Angeles Rams
on Wednesday, presumably taking one of the final steps before the superstar
defensive tackle decides whether to end his 2 1/2-year retirement.
The 35-year-old Donald participated in a hosted workout with the Rams,
according to the league's official transactions wire, which records such
workouts with free agents before their possible signings to NFL rosters.
Defensive line coach Giff Smith attended the workout at the Rams' complex in
Woodland Hills, defensive coordinator Chris Shula said at training camp.
"I heard it was good," Shula said with a smile. "It was more (about) how he
felt. ... Obviously, we'd be really excited about that. You're getting one of
the best players of all time. I have a great history with him. We know what a
great guy he is, what a hard worker he is and what he would mean to this
defense. We're going to coach the guys that are here, and if he decides to come
back, that would be great."
Donald has been working out at the Rams' Woodland Hills facility and at home
for several weeks in his attempt to return to NFL shape. While the Rams have
emphasized their willingness to wait indefinitely for Donald to decide, coach
Sean McVay has expressed cautious optimism in the past week about the prospect
of lining up Donald and Myles Garrett together this season on a remarkable
defensive line.
Garrett returned to practice with the Rams on Monday after sitting out the
previous four workouts with lower-body soreness. The reigning AP NFL Defensive
Player of the Year said he still hasn't spoken to Donald about the comeback
bid, but that might change soon.
"Hopefully we'll link up here soon and I'll see where his head is at, and just
break bread with him as well," Garrett said. "I don't know how he's feeling. I
don't know where he is in this process, but it is a process, coming back from
so much time off. I'm not going to push him either way. Just get a feel of it."
While McVay has indicated increasing optimism about Donald's return as camp
progresses, the head coach said last week that the Rams didn't expect a
decision until after they wrap up training camp at Loyola Marymount University
this week. The Rams are planning to reconvene in Woodland Hills on Saturday for
their first post-camp practice, followed by four more practices in Woodland
Hills next week ahead of their preseason opener at Kansas City.
Donald retired somewhat abruptly in March 2024 following a decorated 10-year
career spent entirely with the Rams. He won the AP's Defensive Player of the
Year award three times while earning eight All-Pro selections, 10 Pro Bowl
selections and a Super Bowl championship ring.
Donald apparently began to entertain the idea of a comeback early last month
after the Rams traded for Garrett, one of Donald's few contemporary peers. The
30-year-old Garrett won two of the last three Defensive Player of the Year
awards in Cleveland, where he received five All-Pro nods and seven Pro Bowl
selections, along with setting the NFL's single-season sacks record last year.
Garrett entered the NFL in 2017, the same season in which Donald won his first
Defensive Player of the Year trophy. While Garrett and Donald have decidedly
different roles on a defense, Garrett said he has admired Donald for his entire
career.
"Just the way he practiced his craft," Garrett said. "You've seen the videos in
which he's going 100 percent. His footwork is impeccable, but he also has
get-off that's similar to an end. ... He just has an outstanding feel for the
game as well as being a freak athletically."
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