Aaron Donald will be ready to give his all whenever the Rams call his number

Long-time Los Angeles Rams fans already know this, but no sentence about defensive tackle Aaron Donald should begin, "He couldn't possibly ..." And yet, that is how NFL analysts have sold the rumors and updates all along:

"He can't possibly be contemplating a return." Or, "Aaron Donald will need weeks to get up to playing speed."

Poppycosh!

Time and again, these reports have swung and missed. Donald has made a career of nay, feasted on proving doubters wrong. And now, with the wisdom of age and ten years' experience, he knows what he is doing.

Donald is not a figurehead, hood ornament, or Ambassador of NFL Goodwill. He is back. And that means getting his hands in the dirt, chasing after quarterbacks, and tackling anyone who has the ball. He did not unretire simply to cheer on his teammates from the bench.

He wants in. All in.

The Rams are coy about everything, and Aaron Donald is no exception

In confirming that the whole team will travel to Australia, including Donald, the Rams aren't trying to be coy about whether or not Donald will play. LA is coy about everything. Either he'll play or he won't.

The reason for withholding any plan could be simple. Why make life easier for the San Francisco 49ers, who are thousands of miles away from their homes and acclimating to the time zone and weather in Melbourne, Australia?

Los Angeles just gave the entire Niners organization one more reason for sleepless nights.

Preparing to face Aaron Donald is not an easy task. But preparing for the possibility of facing Donald, requiring separate gameplans if he does or doesn't suit up, is next to impossible.

Assuming he plays, where will he line up? How effective will he be? Should the center always lean his way? If so, what about the other four Rams defenders along the line of scrimmage?

Let's face it. Those questions must be resolved long before the actual plays are called.

And how can the 49ers, or any offense for that matter, focus exclusively on Donald? Myles Garrett is the defending Defensive Player of the Year. Byron Young and Kobie Turner smashed expectations playing alongside Donald as rookies. And nose tackle Poona Ford is a fireplug who routinely defeats double-teams as the point of attack.

Donald isn't the only threat to opposing offenses. In many ways, he may be viewed as the least of their worries. Many offensive coordinators may be thinking, "Aaron Donald couldn't possibly..." But let me stop that thought right there.

Of course he can.

As always, thanks for reading.

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