Aaron Donald is back, baby, and he hasn't missed a beat (no, literally)

Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald played 32 snaps in his first game following a two-year retirement. Three tackles, one TFL, one pressure. Ok, solid. 

As usual, though, Donald's real impact went beyond the surface stats. One game back and he has the highest pass-rush win rate, 27.6 percent, of any defensive tackle this season, per Sumer Sports data. 

ESPN's Ben Solak chimed in with this: Donald's 0.75-second get-off time ranked third in any game for a DT so far, according to Next Gen Stats.

0.75 seconds. Is that the definition of not missing a beat?

Rams won't be waiting long for Aaron Donald to get back in his groove

It's scary. Donald is already that quick in his first live action since January 2024. If that's what he looks like now, what about in two or three weeks once his body has reacclimated to the physical toll of games? Opposing offensive linemen are better off stuffing that monster back under the bed.

Naturally, Donald might come out just a tick slower in his next game if the soreness of his playing his first game in over 32 months hits him harder than expected during the week. He might need a game or two to absorb the blows and build up his recovery process. 

Don't expect it to take too long, if it happens. Sitting on the Rams bench watching the offense drive down the field, Donald looked hardly a day older from the last time he wore pads. 

Even with Myles Garrett sidelined, No. 99 will have more help up front than he had in seasons past. Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, and Braden Fiske can all help ease the load on the interior.

Byron Young is arguably the most productive edge rusher Donald has ever played with. Young's 12 sacks last season were more than Donald has had from a teammate.

Thus, while offensive lines will throw more at Donald than he counted on with Garrett in the mix, he'll still have it far easier than the last time he donned the Blue and Yellow. 

About those Royal Sol jerseys: maybe provide fans with a complimentary pair of sunshades? Anyway. 

Garrett will be back at some point. In the meantime, Donald should only continue getting up to speed. The Rams won't heap him with a heavy workload, but he could definitely see an uptick in snaps at some point. 

Maybe we shouldn't be surprised. Donald retired in 2023 as a Pro-Bowler (his 10th berth) and a First-Team All-Pro (his eighth). He's won three Defensive Player of the Year Awards, something only J.J. Watt and Lawrence Taylor have also done. He holds the franchise sacks record at 20.5. 

This isn't a normal athlete even as far as football players go, which is saying something. It's a small sample size, but still. Donald came back after two years away and immediately re-established himself as one of the best at his position. Who does that? 

Aaron Donald, of course. That's who.

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