Aaron Donald makes no guarantees ahead of 49ers game

Aaron Donald feels great.Better, in fact, than he expected after two full seasons away from football.One week into one of the most fascinating comebacks in NFL history, Donald is encouraged by how quickly his body has responded and how little rust he has felt.“I feel great,” Donald said Monday.That, however, does not mean the future Hall of Famer will play in the Rams’ season opener against the 49ers on Thursday night in Melbourne, Australia.It does not even guarantee Donald will board the team’s 16-hour flight.With kickoff only days away — and the Rams scheduled to leave Tuesday — the question of whether No.

99 will make the trip remains unanswered.“We’re going day by day,” Donald said, echoing the Rams’ organization-wide message.“We’ll come up with a game plan and see what’s going on.”Pressed specifically on whether he would travel, Donald offered no clues.“I’m feeling really good.

Feeling great,” Donald said.“Come up with a game plan and see what’s going on.”That the possibility remains alive at all is remarkable.Donald is 35 years old and has not played an NFL snap since the Rams’ playoff loss to the Lions in January 2024.

He spent the past two seasons retired, removed from the daily physical punishment of football and everything required to prepare for an NFL season.But Donald never allowed his body to drift too far from playing condition.Over the past 14 weeks, he intensified his training and pushed himself to determine whether a comeback was physically realistic.The early returns have been encouraging.There is a significant difference, however, between being in elite physical condition and being ready to play defensive tackle in an NFL game.

Weight-room strength and conditioning are only part of the equation.Donald must reacclimate his body, eyes and mind to the speed and violence of 11-on-11 football.The Rams also have no reason to rush him.Their goal is not simply to get Donald onto the field against San Franci...