Tag: aaron donald

Nov 6, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) is sacked by Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Rams’ Sean McVay: Aaron Donald out vs. Broncos, likely for season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams star defensive tackle Aaron Donald is unlikely to play again this season, coach Sean McVay announced Friday.

McVay initially ruled out Donald for Sunday’s game against the visiting Denver Broncos due to the ankle injury he sustained in the Rams’ 26-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 27.

When asked if Donald, 31, would play again this season for the Rams (4-10), McVay was quick with his answer.

“Probably not,” he said.

McVay was then asked about the thinking behind that decision.

“I just think, ‘Will he be fully cleared to be Aaron Donald?’” McVay said. “And if he is, talk to him and see. But if not, we’ll err on the side of being smart with him. But obviously, he’s a guy that has certainly earned the right where you talk to him. But he’s not cleared yet and I don’t know that I see that changing in the next couple weeks.”

A seven-time All-Pro, Donald has five sacks and 49 tackles — including 10 for loss — on the season. He also has a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year was named to his ninth Pro Bowl on Monday.

In addition to Donald, center Brian Allen, defensive tackle Marquise Copeland, Trevon Howard, linebacker Jake Gervase, wide receiver Ben Skowronek and quarterback John Wolford have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Broncos (4-10).

–Field Level Media

Nov 13, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) tries to slip past Arizona Cardinals guard Lecitus Smith (54) to get to quarterback Colt McCoy (not pictured) during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Rams rule out DT Aaron Donald (ankle) for ‘TNF’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald will miss a second straight game with an ankle injury.

Quarterback John Wolford is listed as questionable with a neck injury. If he’s unable to go, newly acquired Baker Mayfield and QB3 Bryce Perkins will be the only healthy quarterbacks available to the Rams.

The Rams (3-9) host the Las Vegas Raiders to kick off Week 14. Los Angeles has six straight games, an NFL record for a reigning league champion.

In addition to Donald, the Rams also ruled out linebackers Terrell Lewis (back) and Travin Howard (hip) along with cornerback David Long Jr. (groin) for the Thursday night contest.

Donald sustained the injury in the Rams’ Week 12 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. Last week’s game against the Seattle Seahawks was the first career game missed for the nine-year veteran.

The seven-time All-Pro has five sacks and 49 tackles — including 10 for loss — on the season. He also has a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

–Field Level Media

Nov 13, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) tries to slip past Arizona Cardinals guard Lecitus Smith (54) to get to quarterback Colt McCoy (not pictured) during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Rams DT Aaron Donald, QB Matthew Stafford out Week 13

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald will not play Sunday due to a high-ankle sprain that could lead to Los Angeles shutting him down for the rest of the season.

Donald, 31, has never missed an NFL game due to injury, meaning the seven-time All-Pro would be sitting for the first time Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Donald missed two games in 2017 due to a contract holdout.

“That’s what makes Aaron, Aaron,” McVay said. “He’s unbelievable. I mean to be able to play through that, the toughness, everything that he embodies is what you love about Aaron.”

Donald was injured in the first quarter last week but remained in the game, a 26-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

With a five-game losing streak and a 3-8 overall record, Los Angeles has only one win since Sept. 25. A rash of injuries isn’t helping the Rams’ mood.

Wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson II are on injured reserve, and quarterback Matthew Stafford (concussion) played only two of the team’s four games in November.

McVay said Wednesday it was “safe to say” Stafford, 34, would miss Week 13.

–Field Level Media

Nov 20, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) makes a throw in the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Rams QB Matthew Stafford (concussion), DT Aaron Donald (ankle) iffy for Week 13

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The injury uncertainty around the Los Angeles Rams continues to cloud the defending Super Bowl champions.

In Sean McVay’s latest day-after injury update on Monday following the Rams’ 26-10 loss at Kansas City, the head coach told reporters that this week’s playing status for quarterback Matthew Stafford and defensive tackle Aaron Donald remains up in the air.

Stafford missed his second game in the past three weeks on Sunday because of a strained neck as well as recurring concussion treatment. McVay said Monday there was nothing new to report on Stafford’s playing status.

McVay said that Donald, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has a potential high ankle sprain and hopes to have more clarity by Wednesday after continuing to consult with team doctors. Donald, 31, has never missed a game because of injury in his nine seasons.

The Rams, who have lost five straight games to fall to 3-8, host a pair of games in a five-day span starting on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks before facing the Las Vegas Raiders the following Thursday. According to Elias Sports, that streak matches the NFL record for a losing streak by any reigning NFL champion.

The 34-year-old Stafford was removed from L.A.’s Week 11 game against the New Orleans Saints after absorbing a hit that McVay said left Stafford with some numbness in his legs. The veteran quarterback has played every game in 10 of his 14 NFL seasons, and this year marks just the second time since 2011 that he has missed multiple starts.

Backup Bryce Perkins made his first career start against the Chiefs on Sunday and completed 13 of 23 passes for 100 yards with one touchdown and a pair of interceptions. He led the Rams in rushing with 44 yards on nine carries.

Injuries have plagued the Rams in 2022. The team has been without star receiver Cooper Kupp, who has missed the last two games with a high ankle sprain and remains on injured reserve. Fellow wideout Allen Robinson II may be forced to miss the rest of the season, per McVay on Sunday, because of foot surgery. The offensive line has been riddled with injuries, forcing the team into using 11 different starting line combinations in 11 games.

McVay told reporters recently that he wouldn’t rule out sidelining any of his keys stars for the remainder of the season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 16, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) during an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Donald, Jaylen Brown cut ties with Kanye West’s agency

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald announced Tuesday he is cutting ties with Donda Sports, the sports marketing agency founded by Kanye West earlier this year, due to West’s recent antisemitic tirades.

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown also decided to part ways one day after indicating he would stay with the firm.

“The recent comments and displays of hate and antisemitism are the exact opposite of how we choose to live our lives and raise our children,” Donald wrote in a social media post signed by Aaron and Erica Donald. “We find them to be irresponsible and go against everything we believe in as a family.

“As parents and members of society, we felt a responsibility to send a clear message that hateful words and actions have consequences and that we must do better as human beings. We do not feel our beliefs, voices and actions belong anywhere near a space that misrepresents and oppresses people of any background, ethnicity or race.”

West’s social media accounts were restricted earlier this month as a result of repeated hateful comments toward Jewish people.

Adidas and CAA have also ceased working with West as a consequence.

“Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech. Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness,” Adidas said in a statement.

Brown said Monday night that he disagreed with West’s stances but was not going to part ways with the agency. He reversed field on Tuesday.

“In the past 24 hours, I’ve been able to reflect and better understand how my previous statements lack clarity in expressing my stance against recent insensitive public remarks and actions,” Brown said in a statement. “For that, I apologize. And in this, I seek to be as clear as possible. I have always, and will always, continue to stand strongly against any antisemitism, hate speech, misrepresentation, and oppressive rhetoric of any kind.

“In light of that, after sharing in conversations, I now recognize there are times when my voice and my position can’t coexist in spaces that don’t correspond with my stance or my values. And, for that reason, I am terminating my association with Donda Sports.”

–Field Level Media

Rams defensive tackle Jonah Williams attempts to hold back Aaron Donald during a brawl during the joint practice against the Bengals. Syndication The Enquirer

Rams DT Aaron Donald turning focus toward season opener

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A week and a half after he was at the center of a helmet-swinging fiasco at practice, Los Angeles Rams star defensive tackle Aaron Donald is trying to keep his focus forward on a season-opening matchup against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday.

Donald, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, spoke to the assembled media for the first time since the incident at an Aug. 25 joint practice with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Video and photos of the incidents showed Donald holding Bengals helmets in both hands and repeatedly swinging one of them during a scrum before getting knocked to the ground.

“I’m happy nobody got hurt in the practice and whatever, but my main focus is Thursday night against Buffalo,” Donald said.

No fines or suspensions were announced from the NFL and the Rams said they would handle their discipline internally. Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris confirmed that the team did discipline Donald, but offered no details.

“You don’t want to swing a helmet at anybody; you don’t want that on your resume,” Morris said. “But those things happen in practices. They’re mistakes, they’re errors and they’re correctable.”

Since helping the Rams to a Super Bowl title in February in a 23-20 victory, Donald received a $40 million raise to make him the highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL. He will receive a guaranteed $65 million over the next two seasons.

Even with the healthy raise and his first Super Bowl title, Donald showed in the incident with the Bengals he has not lost any of his famed intensity.

“Everybody protected each other, everybody got out of the situation clean, healthy,” said Donald, who had a career-best 84 tackles last season to go along with 12.5 sacks. That’s what mattered.”

Donald’s three Defensive Player of the Year awards are tied for most in NFL history. He was also the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2014 after the Rams made him the 13th overall draft pick out of Pitt. In the seven years that followed, he was named a first-team All-Pro seven times.

Donald has 98 sacks in his eight NFL seasons and has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of his eight NFL seasons.

–Field Level Media

Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (99) celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. The Rams defeated the Bengals 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Rams make Aaron Donald highest-paid non-QB in history

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Los Angeles Rams reworked defensive tackle Aaron Donald’s contract to give him a $40 million raise and make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, NFL Network and ESPN reported.

Donald, who had openly mused about retiring this offseason, now has $65 million guaranteed over the next two seasons. The deal will allow Donald to choose to retire after the 2023 season or return in 2024 for an additional $30 million guaranteed.

Los Angeles did not add any new years to Donald’s deal, according to reports.

Donald, 31, originally signed a six-year, $135 million deal in August 2018 and had three years remaining on that contract.

In his illustrious career, Donald has won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, tied for most all-time. He was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2014 after the Rams made him the 13th overall draft pick out of Pitt. In the seven years that followed, he was named a first-team All-Pro seven times.

Donald has 98 sacks in his eight NFL seasons, posting 12.5 sacks in 2021.

Donald said on a recent podcast appearance that he was “at peace” with the concept of retiring — that he had considered it long before the Rams won Super Bowl LVI — but that it “makes sense to play” if he could win a second Super Bowl.

“But again, it’s still a business,” he said. “We’ve got to handle the business side of things, and if that wasn’t to get handled then, you know, it is what it is type of situation. I’ll be fine either way.”

–Field Level Media

Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (99) celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. The Rams defeated the Bengals 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Donald partnering with Kanye West’s Donda Sports

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams star defensive tackle Aaron Donald skipped the team’s organized team activities while negotiations continue for a rich contract extension. And in the meantime, the future NFL Hall of Fame member is busy building his brand off the field.

Donald told the “I Am Athlete” podcast that he has signed with Donda Sports, a new marketing agency founded by rapper and entrepreneur Kanye West. Donda Sports will work with Donald on off-field endeavors both now and post-career.

“(Hearing) the whole spectrum of everything that was going on, what they were going to be bringing, the family atmosphere that they got, for me, it was a no-brainer,” Donald said of what drew him to Donda Sports. “I think it’s a hell of an opportunity to open up a lot of different doors and a lot of different things outside of football that I wanna be involved in. … To be a part of that, and be one of the first athletes to be a part of that, it’s pretty dope. We’re excited about it, and we’re gonna see where this thing goes.”

Donald, 31, has three seasons remaining on a six-year, $135 million deal he signed in August 2018 and is set to receive a combined $37.25 million in base salary over the next three seasons. A 2014 first-round draft pick by the Rams, he’s a seven-time All-Pro and has been named NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times.

When asked about Donald’s absence at OTAs last week, Rams coach Sean McVay there was no cause for worry. Donald, as is his typical, has been training on his own in Pittsburgh near family.

“He’s done a great job of communicating, with my relationship with him, and he gets a chance to spend time with his family right now, so I feel good about that,” McVay said.

In his eight seasons with the Rams, Donald has 441 tackles (150 for loss, 98 sacks, 23 forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries. He had an NFL-best 20.5 sacks in 2018.

–Field Level Media

Feb 16, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald holds the Vince Lombardi trophy during the Super Bowl LVI championship rally at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Rams’ Sean McVay confirms Aaron Donald to return for 2022

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams star defensive tackle Aaron Donald told team officials that he plans to play during the 2022 season, coach Sean McVay said Tuesday.

McVay’s words during his Tuesday press conference at the annual league meeting came on the heels of a report that emerged prior to Super Bowl LVI noting Donald would ponder retiring if the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in the big game.

There is still a matter of dollars and cents, however. Donald, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, is looking for more money after signing a six-year, $135 million extension just before the start of the 2018 season.

“Well it’s a huge priority for us,” McVay said. “I know that our group is working with (Donald’s agent) Todd France and trying to get that figured out. Feel really good about Aaron’s excitement about coming back and continuing to lead the way for us. But that is a piece that we do want to be able to get figured out for him. And I think he’s deserving of it. And so, we’re in the process of working through that right now.”

A seven-time All-Pro, Donald’s credentials are virtually peerless.

Donald, who turns 31 in May, has 98 regular-season sacks and 23 forced fumbles in his eight NFL seasons — the first two in St. Louis before the Rams moved back to California.

He has recorded 10 or more sacks six times, including a league-leading 20.5 in 2018. Donald logged 12.5 sacks last season.

–Field Level Media

Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (99) celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. The Rams defeated the Bengals 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Rams DT Aaron Donald still weighing retirement

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald continues to contemplate retirement after helping Los Angeles win the Super Bowl.

Donald, who turns 31 in May, told Sports Illustrated he’s struggling to recommit to the grind of the offseason and took a full week off in February. He said it was the first time he’d rested more than three consecutive days.

To forward any consideration of coming back, Donald said he told owner Stan Kroenke following the Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals that wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and pass rusher Von Miller must be back. More than that, Donald wants assurances that the Rams will keep a championship roster together, not rebuild.

Even after head coach Sean McVay eschewed retirement and dedicated to being all-in on chasing a repeat Super Bowl victory parade, Donald told Sports Illustrated he wants more time to decide his future.

“I’m thinking about my kids, first, always,” he told Sports Illustrated. “People who know me understand why.”

A seven-time All-Pro and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Donald’s credentials are virtually peerless.

But Donald, who signed a six-year, $135 million contract in 2018, said he’s been considering walking away from the NFL for two years. Two of his three children live full-time in Pittsburgh and the older they get, the more activities they enter, the less time they have to travel to and from Los Angeles to be with their dad.

McVay cited family as the biggest reason he’s considering stepping away from the NFL — not this year, but in the future. McVay pointed out that he and Donald are similar in that they don’t feel invested unless they have all of their chips on the table. According to Sports Illustrated, Donald hasn’t recaptured that feeling this offseason.

If he leaves to drive the kids to school and attend their after-school programs, McVay said he understands why.

“I’ve witnessed what it takes for him,” McVay said.

Donald said he has considered retirement for a year or two, only to return in the way Michael Jordan stepped away from the NBA.

–Field Level Media