Los Angeles Rams legendary pass-rusher Aaron Donald announced his retirement from professional football on Friday. Donald retires as one of the best players at his position all time. The 32-year-old was the Rams' 13th overall pick in the 2014 draft out of Pittsburgh, and he had a phenomenal career in his 10 NFL seasons, which all came with the Rams. Donald was named the Defensive Player of the Year four different times, including in his rookie season in 2014 and he was also named to the Pro Bowl in every season of his career while earning eight first-team All-Pro selections. He won the Super Bowl with LA in 2021 and was reportedly considering retirement after that. Donald will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer after racking up 111 career sacks, 543 tackles (340 solo), 176 tackles for loss, 260 QB hits, 21 passes defended 24 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries in 154 regular season-games.
Los Angeles Rams All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald will not play against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in the Week 18 regular season finale. The Rams could fall to the No. 7 seed in the NFC if they lose this weekend, but that isn't deterring them from resting Donald, quarterback Matthew Stafford, running back Kyren Williams and wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Even though the Niners will be without quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) in this one, LA's defensive unit probably isn't worth looking at for starting fantasy lineups. The 32-year-old Donald wasn't able to reach double-digit sacks for the second straight season, but he was still plenty productive with 53 tackles (28 solo), eight sacks, 16 tackles for loss and 23 QB hits in 16 games in his 10th season with the team.
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (groin) is officially active for Week 15 versus the Washington Commanders. He has not missed a game this season, registering 43 tackles and six sacks through 13 contests. Having him available is huge for the Rams as they look to shut down the Commanders and Sam Howell, who is the most-sacked quarterback in football.
Aaron Donald Expected To Suit Up Versus Commanders
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (groin) had been listed as questionable but is expected to play versus the Washington Commanders in Week 15, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The veteran and former Defensive Player of the Year has played in all 13 games this season, registering 43 tackles and six sacks. He could help wreak havoc against the Commanders and Sam Howell, who is the most-sacked quarterback in football.
ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that we shouldn't be surprised if Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald's name gets kicked around as the trade deadline gets closer. It's no surprise that the Rams are rebuilding, and they're carrying almost $75 million in dead money on their salary cap in 2023 as a result of big contracts they've unloaded by design. LA's roster might be the youngest in the NFL, and Donald doesn't seem to fit with the current plan. If the Rams scuffle again, Graziano doesn't think it's hard to imagine Donald wanting out or the team deciding it's best to move on and unload more salary. If the 32-year-old All-Pro does want out, things could get really interesting. Donald's season was cut short in 2022 due to injury and he has very little talent around him, although he should still be considered a top-10 defensive lineman in IDP fantasy leagues.
Los Angeles Rams All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald (ankle) said that he's feeling 100 percent after having surgery to fix a high-ankle sprain in the offseason. "I'm at 100 percent now, feeling good," Donald said. The 31-year-old has considered retirement in recent seasons, but apparently he plans to come back in 2023 despite having an injury shortened 2022 campaign in which he had 49 tackles (27 solo), a career-low five sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 11 QB hits, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in only 11 games. Donald can still be an IDP beast if he can stay healthy in 2023, but he's not going to have a lot of help on the Rams defense. There aren't many like Donald, as he's made the Pro Bowl each of his nine NFL seasons.
There was some doubt as to whether Los Angeles Rams All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald would return in 2023 after the regular season ended, but Donald has since clarified that he will return for his 10th NFL season. The 31-year-old pass-rusher hasn't played a football game since November due to an ankle injury, but he looks to be in excellent shape physically. He missed six games last season but still had five sacks and 10 tackles for loss and earned another Pro Bowl selection despite playing in only 11 games. IDP fantasy managers that invested in Donald in 2022 were obviously disappointed in the end, but he could easily bounce back with better health in 2023 as one of the top D-lineman in the league.
Los Angeles Rams All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald (ankle) told the league that he will be unable to participate in this year's Pro Bowl. Washington Commanders defensive lineman Daron Payne will take Donald's place for the NFC. Donald, who has made the Pro Bowl in all nine of his NFL seasons, had the worst year of his career in 2022 and played in a career-low 11 games as a result of his ankle injury. The 31-year-old pass-rusher didn't play after Week 12 and could consider retirement after toying with the notion after the Rams won the Super Bowl the year prior. Payne, meanwhile, finished his fifth year in Washington with 64 tackles (32 solo), a career-high 11.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, 20 QB hits, five passes defensed and a fumble recovery in 17 games.
Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald has reportedly considered retiring from the National Football League this offseason. While there hasn't been an official update on Donald's plans, many began to speculate after the veteran changed his Twitter bio to "former NFL D Linemen for the Rams #99." However, he has since removed the update from his Twitter profile. The 31-year-old contemplated calling it quits after the Rams took down the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. But his contract was reworked, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, so he returned for another season. Donald finished the 2022-23 campaign by amassing 49 total tackles and a career-low five sacks. Yet, he appeared in only 11 games, with his year getting cut short due to an ankle injury. Nevertheless, the All-Pro likely has plenty of gas left in the tank, so dynasty managers should keep him on the roster, at least for now. Considering head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford are returning could be enough to bring Donald back for at least one more season. There's also rumblings he may out of Los Angeles after spending his entire nine-year career with the organization.
The Los Angeles Rams ruled out defensive tackle Aaron Donald (ankle) for the Week 16 game against the Denver Broncos on Christmas Day on Sunday, according to head coach Sean McVay. It's unlikely that Donald will play again this year. The 31-year-old All-Pro will miss his fourth straight game this weekend and will most likely miss Weeks 17 and 18 as well. It's not a big surprise with the Rams highly unlikely to make the postseason a year after winning the Super Bowl. He will wrap up his 2022 season with 49 tackles (27 solo), five sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 11 QB hits, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in his 11 starts. It's the first time since 2016 that Donald hasn't had double-digit sacks, but he's likely to bounce back with better health in 2023.
