49ers fans have at least one thing to be thankful for in Week 1 clash vs Rams

Aaron Donald will not, after all, make his much-anticipated debut in the Los Angeles Rams' Week 1 matchup with the 49ers, head coach Sean McVay announced Tuesday. Contrary to previous information, Donald will not fly with the team to Australia.

The decision comes as a result of the day-by-day approach Donald and the team took to his ramp-up process after he officially unretired on August 30. 

For San Francisco fans, this is undeniably welcome news. 

The 49ers will still have their hands full, of course, fending off Myles Garrett, Byron Young, and Kobie Turner in the Rams' pass rush. Avoiding Donald, though, is cause enough for a sigh of relief. When the teams play in Week 14, San Francisco won't be able to count on such luck.

49ers can breathe sigh of relief with Aaron Donald staying home

McVay's announcement isn't all that surprising, though it is just a tad disappointing. While Donald no doubt hoped to be ready in time, he's been practicing with teammates for less than two weeks. 11-on-11 drills are not the same as individual workouts. After more than two and a half years since his last NFL snap, there's no shame in taking another week or two to prepare.

Rams fans should expect to see him in action by Week 3 at the latest. Yes, the roster exemption granted by the NFL expires in Week 2, but LA hasn't even used the extra spot. That's not a real factor.

What definitely could be, at least for Donald, is his contract stipulation awarding him a $667,000 bonus per game played, up to 15 games (including minimum snap requirements). He can only miss two before any absence forfeits a portion of his incentive pay.

More significant than any financial consideration, Donald will naturally want to suit up as soon as super-humanly possible. 

For whatever it's worth, McVay expects Donald will "be ready to go sooner rather than later." Holding him out in Week 1 is what the Rams believe "is best for him and for our team." It's definitely best for the 49ers that Donald will not be out there. 

Dealing with Garrett and Company will be no easy task as is. Judging by the teams' depth charts, star left tackle Trent Williams will match up with Young. Garrett will go against seventh-year veteran Colton McKivitz, who ranked seventh among all tackles in PFF grade last season. 

Perhaps the happiest 49er of all is rookie left guard Carvis Willis. Even at 35, Donald is the stuff of nightmares for a first-year offensive lineman. 

While the Rams will miss Donald, they will seemingly have both receiver Puka Nacua and left tackle Alaric Jackson. Their availability had been uncertain with potential suspensions looming, but barring a last-minute update, it appears any discipline will be pushed into the future.

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