The Rams showed up and showed out on Monday Night Football.
The Super Bowl favorites secured a 28-6 win over the Giants, but the sweetest thing about the Week 2 matchup was Aaron Donald’s highly-anticipated return.
Donald, 35, was interviewed immediately following the Rams’ first win of the season.
“It felt good to be out there, get my first game under my belt after two years,” Donald said, per ABC’s telecast.
The defensive tackle admitted that he is still adjusting to the grueling demands of the NFL following his retirement in March 2024.
“I’m a little sore out there, a little sore. Get my body back right and get back to work,” Donald said.
Despite coming out of retirement, Donald was double teamed often in his Rams’ debut. His final stat line of the night included 32 total snaps, 18 pass rush snaps, seven double teams faced, three total tackles, one tackle for loss and one quarterback pressure.
The tackle for loss though was one of the biggest players of the game. With the Rams leading 14-0 late in the first half, the Giants faced a 3rd-and-2 inside Los Angeles’ 5-yard line. If New York even picks up one yard, they likely go for it on fourth down.
Enter Aaron Donald, who burst through the line to bring Cam Skattebo down for a two-yard loss, forcing the Giants to settle for a field goal.
The entire Donald family was in attendance for the three-time Defensive Player’s return to the football field.
“They called me at least 20 times today,” Donald said of his kids.
Since the Rams traded for Myles Garrett, rumors swirled that Donald was weighing a potential comeback. Lo and behold, the return became a reality.
And Donald looked like he hadn’t skipped a beat.
