After reporting to the team over the weekend, defensive tackle Aaron Donald is projected to start at defensive tackle on the Rams' unofficial depth chart for Week 2.
Donald arrived on Saturday, passing his physical during the team's walk-thru. Head coach Sean McVay said on Monday that it's unclear how much the defensive tackle will play against Washington, but the goal is to have him on the field this week.
"He's back here and that's a step in the right direction," McVay said. "I think, like we've mentioned, just getting him back here is the first step and definitely want to try to get him on the field."
"The plan is get him going just back into the flow of a normal weekly rhythm like all of our players do. He's back here with us now and looking to get him going," McVay added. "And as far as how he'll be utilized in this game and kind of exactly what that plan entails is going to be predicated on how he feels going out to practice and getting involved. And those will be things that [head trainer] Reggie [Scott], myself, and the rest of our coaching staff will discuss as far as how he's feeling."
Nevertheless, it's not too much of a surprise for Donald to be listed among the starters. He's widely considered one of the best — if not the best — defensive players in football. Last year, Donald led the league with 31 quarterback hits and was tied for the league lead with 17 tackles for loss.
It might be a bit unrealistic to expect him to play his full workload of snaps during Week 2. But whenever Donald is on the field, he's a threat to make plays.
Donald being listed among the starters is the only change to this week's projected depth chart.
As the Los Angeles Rams prepare to face the Indianapolis Colts, revisit the best photos from their 2017 matchup when the Rams defeated the Colts 46-9.
