This isn't what we EXPECTED...

This isn't what we expected. We have a new development on when Aaron Donald will make his Rams debut, as well as a bit of a shocking update about the health of Miles Garrett heading into week one. What this means for the Rams heading into the 2026 NFL season. All that and more on today's episode of Rams Digest and welcome back to another episode of Rams Digest. I'm your host Joshua Feiners and make sure to leave a like on today's video right now if you want the Rams to go on a 2026 Super Bowl run and share this video with a friend because it helps out the channel a lot. And now to our comment questions of the day. Do you think Aaron Donald will slash should play week one against the 49ers? Comment down below why for yes and for no. And when will he debut? If not, leave your thoughts down below in the comments. I will be responding as always. And with the update coming about Miles Garrett, how concerned are you about Miles Garrett missing week one? Leave your thoughts down below in the comments. I will be responding as always and make sure to stay tuned to the end of today's video for my answers on these questions. But before we get in to all of that, we have to go over today's video sponsor and that is Kalshi. And this video is sponsored to you by Kalshi. On Kalshi, you're trading directly against other users, not the house like traditional sportsbooks. You're buying yes or no contracts on the outcome of events across sports, politics, even weather or reality slash your favorite TV shows. And if you're like me and can't wait for this Rams season to start, despite some of the question marks of this roster potentially heading in to week one, you can trade on Kalshi right now for week one. The Rams have a 63% odds to win week one against the Niners in Australia. And if you were to trade $25 on this, your payout would be $37.54. So you would have a profit on this trade if you were to trade yes and you were to be correct. And best of all is that we have a way for you to get involved. If you're interested in trying out Kalshi, use the link in the description and the pinned comment and code DigestNFL to get $25 added to your account instantly. Thank you once again to Kalshi for sponsoring today's video. And now let's get back to the news. And yes, as I said earlier here, we do have a new update about when Aaron Donald potentially could be joining the Rams roster for the regular season. And we know week one is rapidly approaching, nine days away as of today, September 1st, the day that I am recording this video. But Aaron Donald yesterday only did limited drills at practice, individual drills. He has not yet done any team drills. The Rams do have a schedule with three days off before Friday. So they aren't practicing from today up through Thursday and they don't go back until Friday. But Dan Graziano has an interesting take about when the Rams and Aaron Donald should make his debut and how the Rams should go about this. We're going to get to his quotes from NFL Live earlier today, right now. The week one game is against the 49ers in Australia. And that game is nine days from today. So you can't rule anything out, obviously, with Aaron Donald, Graziano said. And the Rams aren't going to rule him out in terms of playing week one, at least not yet. I would say based on everything I've been told, the week two or three debut looks more likely than week one. But again, it's still on the table. And in terms of workload, they'll watch his snaps. Obviously, they have a lot of depth on that defensive line, even just beyond him and Myles Garrett. So they feel like they have the ability early in the season to watch his snaps and count his snaps. And this is from NFL analyst Dan Graziano. And in all honesty, I think this is the exact right approach that the Rams should be taking with Aaron Donald right now. And that is because they shouldn't be rushing to get him out on it to the field. The Rams aren't a team that without Aaron Donald have nothing pass rush wise. Obviously, we know Myles Garrett, Kobe Turner, obviously, Byron Young as well. Josiah Stewart showed a lot of flashes last year. Excited for him for a year or two as well. You still got Brandon Fisk there, who I said was a loser in this trade, but he could be a winner early on in this season. And I think for Aaron Donald, it's all about, does he want to play in Australia? Does he feel like he will be ready to play in Australia as well? Because that is also quite important as to whether he believes he will be ready to play in Australia, because that's a long flight. It's a 15, 16-ish hour long flight. And that's not going to be an easy thing to navigate in terms of recovery and planning in advance as well for that, especially coming this close to week one. I was a proponent when Aaron Donald came back this past weekend for him to debut week two, give him a little bit extra time just to get used to this defense, get used to playing with these players, get some more practice reps so that he's more in game shape. And I'm in physical shape. He's good. And we know he's in good physical shape. That's not the issue. He'll have the stamina. That's not a problem. Speed, I think will just be down a little bit regardless because he's older, but it's still not going to be super noticeable, I think, where he's unplayable or anything. So I do think for the Rams and Aaron Donald, it's about how comfortable is he in this defense? And if he's comfortable enough and wants to play week one, I don't see why he wouldn't. But if he's not ready yet, and they see that he's still a little bit behind in terms of understanding the defense where he needs to be, and the Rams also have to figure out how to work him in to the defense too, because he missed basically he missed the entire training camp program. So it's not like he has a ton of reps to get with this team. Before week one, they have to figure out what packages he's going to fit best in with this defense, because there's a lot of new pieces on this defense, newer and better pieces than when he last played in a Rams uniform or in the NFL in general in 2023. So the fits going to be great once they get it figured out. But early on, there's definitely gonna be a little bit of growing pain in the sense of his fit with the defense, kind of his role. And I think it might take a little bit of time to figure out. So that's why I'm certainly not opposed to a week two or three debut. Again, if he feels like he can go week one, he's fitting with the defense, the Rams are good with it, I'm good with it. But I do think a week two debut isn't a bad thing whatsoever for him. And then a little bit here from Sean McVay as well. McVay said there's absolutely a chance Donald won't play in the Rams first game, but he won't rule anything out yet. He reiterated that the Rams are taking it one a day at a time with Aaron Donald not putting any firm timelines on his return to the field. And again, that's the right move. I think for Sean McVay, again, he didn't really give us a lot of concrete updates about Aaron Donald's return to the Rams as a whole about him signing. And I don't think he's gonna give us any concrete updates until right before they leave for Australia, which is coming sooner than you think. So I think for Aaron Donald Friday's practice, I definitely want to see him being a lot more active, especially in team drills. But again, I think a week two debut isn't a bad thing whatsoever. But now we need to get to the latest on the Myles Garrett injury news. Myles Garrett and the whole reason why Aaron Donald came back in the first place, or that even considered it was because the Rams added the generational talent that is Myles Garrett. And we know what Myles Garrett is gonna do if he's healthy. He's gonna put up a 23. That's a very tough bar to pass. But I certainly think that it is not possible, but that he could get 20 again. But I don't think he's getting 23 just because that is an NFL record that he had last year. But he's missed the last few weeks of practice with a knee injury that the Rams have called knee soreness. But he hasn't practiced since the Cowboys joint practice early on when he did have to come back out. Once again, and Sean McVay, again earlier today provided us with an update on where Myles Garrett is for his recovery process that we're getting into right now. He's doing good. He's making good progress. McVay said Monday, you would know more about the sleeve than me. I didn't notice that I had different sleeve on, but he's really making good progress. Like we've said, go all along has been Australia and he's doing a lot of stuff outside of what you guys see. I'm looking forward to getting him back out there. And that is from Rams head coach Sean McVay. Now, it is important to note that Myles Garrett did not practice yesterday, either. So we're getting awfully close to week one without him having a practice in the books at this point before week one last year, I believe Matthew Stafford was already back fully practicing. So definitely a little bit more concerned, I would say now that we're getting a little bit closer to week one, the different sleeve, I think it's just a comfortability thing if it helps them. Cool. I'm not too worried about that. I'm not a medical professional. I'm sure the Rams training staff has him in the appropriate sleeves last per section to wear for that knee. So whatever's going on, there's going on there. But again, Friday is the Rams next practice. And I want to see Myles Garrett out there. Even if it's for half the reps, I just want to see him out there on that practice field in full contact drills, just so I know he's ready to go to Australia because Seattle Hard Knocks, they talked about it in a Hard Knocks episode where airplane pressure does not help with swelling whatsoever. It actually really impacts swelling, makes it worse. And that's something Myles Garrett's had in his knee. And just even flying into Australia as a whole for whatever it is, 15, 16, maybe even more hours, you know, consecutively on that flight, that's not going to be good for his knee. It's not really going to be good for anyone just because who wants to be on a plane for that long, sitting for that long? Just I mean, I don't want to say it's not fun, but it's certainly not like something you want to do for 15, 16 hours, obviously. And then the way back as well is not going to help much with recovery postgame. But it's something that the Rams do need to consider is that if he's at a high risk for swelling on this on these both of the flights, I don't know if he's going to Australia. Again, the indication seems like he is, but it is certainly something to monitor, especially if he doesn't practice Friday, then it's going to get definitely concerning as you'd be less than a week away from a kickoff of the 2026 season. Miles Garrett, we already know what he did last season. We don't have to go into it too much. But I feel like every time I talk about him, I have to again, not all these seasons with the Rams, none of them actually, all of them with the Browns heading up into this one, 17 games played somehow ranked second, but I guess tie for first regular season, 60 total tackles, 23 sacks, zero picks, three forced fumbles, 43 solo tackles, 17 assisted, zero fumble recoveries, 165 sack yards, and zero pick sixes. Again, he's 6'4", 272 entering year 10 at the age of 30. So again, for Miles Garrett, I think it's more so how he feels rather than I guess the Rams concern level, just because I don't think if you're the Rams, you shouldn't be too concerned about him missing game one. He's barely missed any games throughout his NFL career as a whole. So I do think the Rams are being cautious with this. I know a lot of the comments keep saying that, and I do get they're being cautious, but at a certain point, especially Friday, within a week to kickoff, I would like to see him out there on the practice field. And if the Rams do hold a practice Monday, which could be their final practice before leaving, I definitely want to see him out there in full to know that he's ready to fly too, because he has to get cleared for that flight, would be my guess, so that he's not at an increased injury risk or re-aggravation risk once they get on the field and get back from Australia. So it's definitely a tight rope that the Rams are on in terms of trying to figure out the best way for him to return week one. Again, I do think he will play week one. I don't think he's going to miss week one, but again, Friday's practice is really going to determine that. If he's not out there Friday, I do wonder what Sean McVay will say pre- or post-practice whenever he decides to speak, but again, for right now, I don't think he's missing week one. I don't think we're in jeopardy of that right now, but overall, I certainly do think this is a story that I didn't expect to have to really be covering on September 1st, Myles Garrett still being out of practice, but here we are, especially considering it's the whole reason why Aaron Donald even thought about unretiring in the first place. He did. Obviously, I don't think Aaron Donald would have come back if Myles Garrett was going to be out for a long time, so again, I don't foresee any of that happening, and I don't think whether Myles Garrett plays or not will impact Aaron Donald playing week one or not. I don't think they're linked whatsoever. I think if Aaron Donald is up for it, ready, he'll go, and if Myles Garrett, as long as he's cleared to fly, I think he will be good to go in Australia as well. And now what does this mean for everyone here? For Sean McVay, it doesn't really mean much for him. Again, not really a hands-on defensive coach, which is totally fine. That's how he's always been, but it definitely is worth noting that both of these players might not play week one, because again, you're going in there expecting a full roster. The Niner is dealing with a ton of injuries right now. We'll get more on them, you know, as this week wraps up in next week, but overall, definitely something to monitor for Sean McVay. Depth guys are probably going to have to step up every week, but maybe a little bit more in week one. And then on the Chris Chula side of things as well, again, there's a lot of pressure on him this year, considering how last year ended on a bit of a subpar note, that how can you bounce back from that as a coordinator? He did say that he wants to keep the defense basic in terms of, I guess, play calls and schemes when they can. So, and I do think that is the right thing to do, especially early on with a lot of new defenders, a whole new starting cornerback room, Myles Garrett. Aaron Donald coming back, not as much, because again, at least he'll be ready for anything really, but it is going to be important that they work him in properly. Keeping things basic early, I think is the right move, but if they are without more so Myles Garrett than Aaron Donald, how are you going to call your defense? Who's going to be that guy to step up? He immediately has adversity to go through as a coach in Week 1, something I don't really think he expected heading into the season, so we will have to wait and see until Week 1, until we know what is going to happen there. But as always, my answer is to the comment questions. Do you think Aaron Donald will slash should play Week 1? Comment Y for yes and for no. I'll be responding as always to me. My answer right now is I don't think he'll play Week 1. I think the Rams are going to want him to play Week 2, preserve him for a week. Again, should play, I think it's up to him. If he feels ready and the Rams are okay with it, he will play, but to me, as of right now, I'm leaning more towards a Week 2 debut, which I have no problem with whatsoever, so my answer is Week 2, and if your answer is Week 1, just Y for yes and for no, but leave your thoughts down below in the comments. I will be responding as always, and then for Myles Garrett, how concerned are you about Myles Garrett missing Week 1? Leave your thoughts in the comments down below. To me, I'm probably at a high 4, low 5-ish. It's the highest I've been, considering he hasn't even been back practicing at all, and now it is September 1st. I still don't think it's going to happen, to be clear. Again, I think Friday is going to be the big indicator. If he's even a half go Friday, I think we're in a good spot, but if he doesn't go at all on Friday, that's when the concern level is going to go way, way higher, so make sure to leave your thoughts in the comments down below. I will be responding as always, and that is all for today's episode of Rams Digest. Remember, leave a like on today's video right now if you want the Rams to go on a Super Bowl run during the 2026 NFL season and for them to get healthy by Week 1, and make sure to subscribe to the channel. We are just over 100 away from our goal of 6k, 6,000 subscribers, so click that sub button and click that notification bell as well. Click all so you get notified and never miss whenever we post our daily new Rams Digest video content pieces covering all things Rams. Leave your thoughts on today's video in the comments down below. I will be responding as always, and make sure to share this video with a friend because it helps out the channel a lot. I've been your host, Shoshua Feinersh, as always. Thank you very much for watching another episode of Rams Digest. I hope you enjoyed it. I'll see you soon for another one, and have a great rest of your day.