[NFL]Rams HC McVay Excludes DT Donald from Broncos Game with Ankle Injury, No Hope of Playing During 2022

Last Updated on 12/26/2022 by てんしょく飯

Defensive tackle (DT) Aaron Donald missed a game this season for the first time in his career due to injury. And for the same reason, he is not expected to return during 2022.

There is no chance that DT Donald will play again this season.

Donald was ruled out for the Sunday game against the Denver Broncos, head coach (HC) Sean McVay revealed locally on Friday, December 23. When asked if there was any chance he would play again this season, HC McVay replied shortly, “Probably not.”

For the defending champions, who have already been eliminated, there is little reason to let Donald play at this point in the season. Crippled by bad luck, the 2022 Rams suffered the final blow with injuries to quarterback (QB) Matthew Stafford, wide receiver (WR) Cooper Kupp, and Donald. Donald sprained his high ankle in Week 12 of the season and missed the first time in his illustrious career. That injury will likely end his season with 49 tackles, five sacks, 10 tackles for loss and one fumble-for-loss in 11 games so far.

Officially eliminated from postseason contention with a 4-10 record, the Rams will no longer just play their remaining games to the end and would be wise to use it as an information-gathering process rather than have their star players work an extra 12 quarter minutes. Donald is also not that young in terms of age, so we don’t see much point in having him play here.

Still, it will be interesting to watch the transition in approach over the next few weeks. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Donald had hoped to return in Week 14 or 15, targeting a Monday night game in Green Bay.

But his wish was not granted, and he seems to have accepted reality–that it is best to take the rest of the season off to preserve his own health.