Aaron Donald sends ‘That’s the plan’ message to New York Giants as Los Angeles Rams prepare for his long-awaited return

Aaron Donald has announced his plans to return to the NFL against the New York Giants after taking a break during the Los Angeles Rams' season opener in Australia. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year is set to make his long-awaited debut in Monday Night Football against his former team. Donald, who did not play in the Rams' 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, stated that "That's the plan" when asked if he would debut against the Giants, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The Rams will host the Giants at SoFi Stadium, providing Donald with the opportunity to return to the field in front of his home crowd. Donald's return has generated significant attention due to his impressive career record with the Rams. The New York Giants began their season with a win over the Dallas Cowboys, but they will face a more formidable challenge against a Rams team aiming to bounce back from their recent Australian defeat.

However, the Rams will be without Myles Garrett, who underwent knee surgery and is expected to miss at least four games. This leaves Donald as a prominent figure in the defensive lineup for the upcoming matchup. For New York, the team will need to overcome the Rams' offensive struggles, which resulted in only seven points during their loss to San Francisco.

Analyst Connor Hughes believes the Giants might need at least 30 points to secure a victory, stating that "I don’t think the defense is going to shut down the Rams’ offense; I think the Rams are going to score. If the Giants want to win, they’re going to have to find a way to get to 30." For Donald, the focus is on simply returning to an NFL game.

This Monday night will mark his first appearance since the 2023 season and his first game since deciding to return to the Rams.