By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
When Aaron Donald took the field at SoFi Stadium for the first time since the end of the 2023 season, the crowd erupted with an ovation that seemed to shake the building.
Donald, returning to the Los Angeles Rams after coming out of retirement Aug. 30, brought an immediate jolt of energy to his teammates and the fans. The Rams went on to defeat the New York Giants 28-6.
“If you didn’t get chills when he was introduced, then you’re not freaking alive,” Rams coach Sean McVay said.
Donald said he “did a little bit more jumping than I used to do” during his run out of the tunnel before the game.
“I was so juiced,” Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford said after watching Donald’s entrance. “I couldn’t control myself.”
Donald Makes Immediate Impact
Donald finished the game with three tackles and one tackle for loss, according to Next Gen Stats. He played 32 defensive snaps, or 58.2% of the Rams’ defensive plays.
On the Giants’ first series, Donald made his presence felt. He fought through three blockers to bring down Giants running back Cameron Skattebo for a loss.
McVay was asked whether Donald was playing under a predetermined snap count.
“What do you think?” McVay responded.
The veteran defensive tackle’s return was about more than his individual statistics. McVay said Donald’s presence naturally draws attention and elevates the players around him.
“He elicits attention,” McVay said. “He brings everybody up around him. And I didn’t think it was by coincidence that the energy that we played with [tonight]. I thought really the defensive coaches did a great job with their game plan, but ultimately just elevating situations he’s in and people that he’s around, and that’s what the greats do and that’s what he does.”
A Welcome Return
Donald’s return gave the Rams and their fans a chance to see one of the franchise’s most recognizable defensive players back on the field.
His presence was immediately felt from the moment he entered the stadium to his first series on defense. While his workload was limited, Donald provided the type of veteran presence and energy that McVay said can elevate an entire team.
McVay also reflected on the challenges surrounding the team’s travel plans, saying, “Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. And sometimes you have a dumbass coach that makes travel plans that put you in a bad spot.”
For the Rams, the biggest takeaway was having Donald back in uniform and contributing to a convincing 28-6 victory.