Aaron Donald got his homecoming.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He got the roar of the Rams\u2019 crowd. The pregame introduction out of the tunnel that sent goosebumps down the arms of 78,000 screaming fans. He got the kind of reception that is reserved for franchise royalty.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nearly three years after his last NFL snap, Donald was able to soak in the love from Rams\u2019 fans who probably never imagined they would ever see No. 99 in a uniform again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) runs on the field during player introductions before a game against the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg \/ New York Post<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a blessing,\u201d Donald said Thursday. \u201cYou never take nothing for granted.\u201d<\/p>\n
Donald\u2019s return was everything it should have been and more.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n But now the honeymoon is over.\u00a0<\/p>\n When Donald takes the field in Denver for the first time since 2018, it won\u2019t be about nostalgia anymore. Nobody inside Empower Field at Mile High is going to celebrate Donald\u2019s comeback or care how good it felt to put the pads on again. Bo Nix certainly won\u2019t care.\u00a0<\/p>\n Donald\u2019s first game back proved he can still play NFL football. He played 32 snaps, had three tackles, one for loss, 18 pass rush snaps, one QB pressure<\/a> and was double-teamed seven times.\u00a0<\/p>\n Those statistics should improve in his second game and by the end of 60 minutes in Denver, we should have a better idea of how much of the old Aaron Donald is still left in the tank.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for the California Morning Report newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n And nobody appears more interested in finding out that answer than Donald himself.\u00a0<\/p>\n The future Hall of Famer admitted he watched the film of his Rams return against the New York Giants a whopping six times.\u00a0<\/p>\n Donald said he was studying his movements, dissecting his mistakes and comparing what he saw against film of himself from years ago.<\/p>\n Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald looks on from the bench before an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. AP Photo\/Katie Chin<\/p>\n \u201cJust breaking myself down, watching myself,\u201d Donald said. \u201cWhat I could have done better, things I did right, ways I can clean little things up, seeing where I\u2019m at right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Defensive coordinator Chris Shula saw something different.<\/p>\n \u201cHe might tell you differently, but I thought he looked excellent,\u201d Shula said. \u201cHe was awesome. He put a lot of pressure on the quarterback.\u201d<\/p>\n Therein lies the absurd standard Donald has created for himself.<\/p>\n The Rams see a 35-year-old defensive tackle returning after nearly three years away from the game and immediately disrupting an NFL offense. Donald sees mistakes, but is encouraged by what he saw of himself in his six viewings.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019m on the right pace,\u201d Donald said. \u201cPretty confident where I\u2019m at right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Good, because the degree of difficulty is about to increase.<\/p>\n Nix presents a different problem than veteran backup Jameis Winston did. Nix can escape the pocket, extend plays with his feet and punish a defensive front that gets reckless chasing him. Donald called him a \u201cbig quarterback\u201d capable of making big throws, but it was Nix\u2019s mobility that seemed to have caught his attention.<\/p>\n Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) drops back to pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half at Empower Field at Mile High. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of these quarterbacks now are mobile, can move around, make your job a lot harder as a rusher,\u201d Donald said.<\/p>\n Shula was even more emphatic, calling Nix \u201cthe ultimate competitor\u201d who will make plays off-schedule, attack downfield and \u201cfight for every single yard.\u201d<\/p>\n The Rams revamped defense will face a tough test in the Broncos offense. They will have to remain disciplined. Pressure the quarterback without allowing escape lanes. The secondary has to keep speedy wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in front of them, because he\u2019s capable of turning one busted coverage into six points.\u00a0<\/p>\n Thankfully, the Rams have All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie now.\u00a0<\/p>\n Donald admitted he usually doesn\u2019t spend much time watching defensive backs when he watches film, but McDuffie stood out immediately.\u00a0<\/p>\n Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald answers questions after an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Inglewood, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. AP Photo\/Katie Chin<\/p>\n \u201cHe caught my eye,\u201d Donald said. \u201cHe\u2019s something special, man.\u201d<\/p>\n If McDuffie spends significant time dealing with Waddle, Donald and the Rams\u2019 pass rush can make his afternoon considerably easier by preventing Nix from extending plays.<\/p>\n Another element that could affect Donald, and frankly all of the Rams, is the altitude.\u00a0<\/p>\n Denver has the highest elevation stadium in the NFL at exactly one mile above sea level.\u00a0<\/p>\n The thinner air causes footballs to travel further on kicks and deep passes, while visiting teams experience increased fatigue.\u00a0<\/p>\n Donald hasn\u2019t played at altitude since 2018, and when asked how his body will respond, he didn\u2019t pretend to know.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got to go out there and see,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Donald pointed to the Rams defensive line rotation as a place of importance in the altitude. The Rams have a plethora of players in their interior defense including Donald, Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, Braden Fiske and Tyler Davis. Rotating them and keeping them fresh, especially when they become fatigued will be vital.<\/p>\n If Monday night was all about Donald rediscovering football and the Rams fans being introduced to him, then Sunday in Denver is where he goes back to work.\u00a0<\/p>\n The celebration is finished. The nostalgia can wait for another day, it\u2019s time for Donald to be an everyday football player again.<\/p>\n Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> \t\t\t\t\t\t
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