Aaron Donald, the future Hall of Famer, had his second workout with the Los Angeles Rams this past Sunday, as discussions continue about his potential return to play in the 2026 season. While many assume Donald will eventually rejoin the team, no clear answer has been given, keeping fans and the team closely observant of any developments.
Following the Rams’ recent win over the Kansas City Chiefs, Head Coach Sean McVay addressed Donald's status, stating the two sides haven't yet reached a point of clarity on his plans. McVay confirmed that he and Donald are maintaining "great dialogue" and emphasized that the decision will be "on his timeline." The coach added he doesn't want to impose an "invisible deadline" on Donald, though there are "tentative decisions behind the scenes" and "loose things where we’ve identified, you know, dates that we’d like to be able to hit."
According to the transaction wire, Sunday's session marked Donald's second official workout with the Rams, following an earlier one in August. His involvement with the team has reportedly increased this summer as he weighs ending his retirement.
Beyond Donald, the Rams roster is seeing other shifts. The competition for the backup quarterback position between Ty Simpson and Stetson Bennett appears to be heating up. While Bennett had been leading and was taking snaps with starters during practice, Simpson's performance in the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs has made the decision "a lot more difficult" for the coaching staff. Simpson received a five-word message from Matthew Stafford before his debut, though its content was not specified. Bennett, whose contract expires after this season, is reportedly not expected to be re-signed by the Rams, making his preseason play crucial for securing a new contract elsewhere.
Special teams also saw notable plays. Receiver and return specialist Xavier Smith, who had been considered a cut candidate, "impressed in both roles enough so that he should be all but a lock to make the team" after his 40-yard punt return against the Chiefs. In other roster news, the Rams signed punter Jack Bouwmeester, a 27-year-old rookie who previously spent training camp with the San Francisco 49ers.
