Aaron Donald's Rams return would lead logically to another question

While Aaron Donald is still undecided on unretirement, there remains a strong sentiment that he will rejoin the Los Angeles Rams at some point this season, whether that happens by Week 1 or just in time for a late-year Super Bowl push. 

The second-biggest question, subordinate only to whether he will indeed return, is what kind of role he would play. In 2023, Donald's final season, he logged 867 defensive snaps in 16 games. He was on the field 81 percent of the time. He never played fewer than 600 snaps in a season. In his last seven seasons, he never saw fewer than the above 81 percent of available snaps. 

Even at age 35, coming up on three seasons removed from his final game, would Donald look to pick up where he left off, or close to it? Or would the Rams save him for specific pass-rush scenarios, limiting Donald to a part-time role? If he does come back, how Donald and the defense answer that question will do a great deal to shape LA's defensive line.

Rams fans should expect Donald heavily involved if he returns

NFL insider Adam Schefter believes Donald could settle into a role where he plays up to "75 percent" of downs. That feels more realistic than expecting him to step in and 85 to 90 percent, as he did throughout his prime and up until his final season. 

Even a 75 percent dose of Donald would be plenty for a Rams defensive front that already features Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, and Poona Ford, with Byron Young and Myles Garrett rushing off the edge. Having to deal with Donald on three-quarters of all plays, even a 35-year-old version of him, would create a whole new headache for opposing offenses.

During Schefter's Tuesday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," the veteran insider also repeatedly stated his belief that Donald will not return unless he feels like himself - like Aaron Donald. Training to get back to that standard could take time, but if Donald does so, a 75 percent snap share could certainly lie within the realm of possibility. 

If he does return, especially if he claims a considerable share of playing time, there will be a ripple effect for other members of the d-line depth chart. Can the Rams afford to roster all of Donald, Tyler Davis, Ty Hamilton, and Tim Keenan III? Probably not. Last season, they carried only five on the active roster, and Donald would give them seven. 

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