Rams' Aaron Donald Says He's 'A Little Sore' After Return from NFL Retirement vs. Giants

After playing his first NFL game in 32 months on Monday night, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald came out of it feeling okay all things considered.

Speaking to reporters following the Rams' 28-6 win over the New York Giants, Donald said he was "a little sore" right now coming off of "two panicked practices and then a game."

Donald also had a wrap on his right hand after the game, but also described that as "just a little sore."

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Donald retired in March 2024 after a 10-year career, but he decided to give it a go once again on Aug. 30 when he signed a one-year deal to return to the Rams.

After sitting out Los Angeles' Week 1 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers in Australia to continue ramping up, Donald was in the starting lineup on Monday night. He recorded three total tackles and one tackle for loss in 32 snaps against the Giants.

New York's game plan was focused, at least in part, on ensuring Donald didn't wreck things because he was double-teamed on seven of his 32 snaps.

The Rams needed the boost Donald provided with Myles Garrett on injured reserve after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. The Giants' 182 yards of offense were the fewest allowed in a game by Los Angeles since Week 1 of the 2023 season against the Seattle Seahawks (180).

Things figure to get more difficult for Donald and the Rams over the next three weeks. Their upcoming schedule includes road games against the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles before returning home to host the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football in Week 5.