Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald has been steadily improving over the course of his first season back after coming out of retirement, and Sunday could be something of a breakout game for his second stint with the Rams.
Donald has yet to record a sack, but in last week’s overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills he had a sack of Josh Allen negated by a penalty in the secondary, and he also recovered a fumble.
Sunday’s matchup with the Arizona Cardinals provides a golden opportunity for Donald to return to the Hall of fame level he played at prior to his retirement.
Why is Aaron Donald going to have a great game against the Cardinals?
Donald has historically feasted against the Rams’ NFC West rival, with Stu Jackson, seniorDon staff writer for the Rams, pointing out that Donald has sacked Cardinals quarterbacks more than any other team, totaling 16 of his 111 career sacks.
Furthermore, the Cardinals offensive line is ranked 30th out of the 32 NFL teams, according to Pro Football Focus.
That kind of matchup and history of success should prime Donald for a return to form.
“Sunday offers the perfect formula for AD to get rolling,” said LA Sports Report’s Ava Brand.
Donald said as much when speaking with reporters on Thursday.
“It felt good,” he said of the almost-sack on Allen. “Watching the film, looking more like myself, feeling more like myself out there. The game is starting to slow down. Feeling good. I’m having fun, getting into a good groove. I have to keep it up. I wish it would have made it, but I didn’t. I have to try to make it this week, that’s all.”
It might not be like what he did in Week 14 of the 2021 season, when he sacked the Cardinals QB three times, but notching a sack or two would certainly show the rest of the league that Donald is fully back and here to make an impact.
Not to mention it could help set the stage for the eventual return of pass rusher Myles Garrett, creating a terrifying duo for offenses to scheme around.
How has Aaron Donald played for the Rams in 2026?
Donald’s return to the NFL hasn’t been easy, but he has already made an impact for the Rams.
In his three games so far this season, he has six tackles, two of them solo, and has a tackle for loss.
On Sunday, expect those numbers to rise.
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