Rams standout defensive tackle Aaron Donald will not travel to Australia for Thursday night's season opener against the San Francisco 49ers and will be inactive, coach Sean McVay announced Tuesday. Donald, who came out of retirement on August 30 after retiring in March 2024, participated in individual drills but did not take part in 11-on-11 practices until September 6. McVay emphasized the decision was made to prioritize Donald's long-term readiness, stating he is doing a great job and will be ready to go sooner rather than later, but the quick turnaround made travel impractical.

McVay also confirmed that defensive end Myles Garrett, who has been managing knee swelling, will be "ready to go" for Week 1, praising his impact and the team's smart management of his condition. Donald said he felt "a little rusty" during team drills but settled in, acknowledging he is not yet at his peak but sees no significant drop-off after two years away from football. He affirmed his commitment to cleaning up details through reps and playing time, expressing confidence in his eventual return to form.