Rams fans given date to circle awaiting next Aaron Donald update

Whether or not Aaron Donald returns to the Los Angeles Rams this season, head coach Sean McVay has given fans a concrete date to keep in mind before expecting any updates: August 8, the day after training camp wraps up at Loyola Marymount University. Thankfully, it's not too long of a wait, although it hardly guarantees that we'll know anything new by then.

"There won't be any news on that front until we get back to Woodland Hills," McVay said on Friday via ESPN's Sarah Barshop, referring to the team practice facility. August 8, then. Got it.

While that may be disappointing, it's not surprising. As the Donald hype train barreled nearly off the rails, its head of steam was ultimately tempered by the realization that, if he does come back, it won't be immediate. For Rams fans, it's something of a relief not to peel open our eyes every morning wondering if today is the day. 

Barring an unexpected announcement, we'll get at least a week's reprieve, in which time there will be plenty else to focus on in Rams training camp.

Aaron Donald can grant Rams fans fairy-tale flourish to the summer

Naturally, the Rams are allowing Donald to proceed at his own pace; he is a franchise legend who warrants respect as such, and moreover, it's his retirement to enjoy if he wants to. 

If Donald returns, it will be on his terms, though both sides would have some financial details to hammer out. McVay's remarks Friday, again via Barshop, delivered more of the same tentative, but noncommittal excitement: 

"We've loosely had some different timelines that are kind of temporary. I want to keep those between us just if something unforeseen happens, out of respect for him and the situation. But I know this: Things are going in the right direction. And if there's an arrow, it's trending upwards." 

Even as perceived momentum has settled from a feverish high earlier in the offseason, it certainly feels as if, unless something changes, Donald is working toward a return sometime in the not-so-distant future. With his famous reputation for going all-in or not at all, it would be surprising if he waited until late during the season to return, although that remains possible. 

It would seem more on brand, however, for Donald to return at or near the start of the season. There's nothing written in the stars that says he has to. That's just one way to look at it given his track record and character.

From a fan entertainment perspective, the dream scenario would involve Donald ramping up and ultimately announcing a comeback during the relative dead zone that exists between the end of the preseason and Week 1. 

The Rams kick off the exhibition slate with a tongue-in-cheek "revenge game" for Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson against the Chiefs on August 15, before wrapping up on August 27 versus the Chargers. The regular season begins on September 10 in Australia, in a much-anticipated match against the San Francisco 49ers.

It's all fan fiction at present, but it's difficult to imagine a more perfect time for the Donald notification to hit than sometime during the week or so after the preseason. For now, we wait.

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