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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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Aaron Donald officially returned for the Los Angeles Rams in a "Monday Night Football" win over the New York Giants, playing in his first NFL game in over two years.
Donald, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, previously retired in March 2024, several months after his team's playoff loss to the Detroit Lions. However, he made headlines this offseason as he contemplated making a comeback to join a Rams defense that also features another former Defensive Player of the Year: Myles Garrett.
With Garrett expected to be out for up to eight weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery, Donald will certainly be among the leaders on defense, playing alongside newcomers that include corners, Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
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"It felt good to be out there and get that first game under my belt after two years, so feel good, and we got a win, so," Donald told ABC/ESPN sideline reporter Laura Rutledge after the game.
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"A little sore right now, you know? A little sore, but get my body back right for a short week and get back to work," Donald said when asked how his body was doing after that first game back.
The Los Angeles Rams won the game, in what may have seemed like dominant fashion, 28-6 over the visiting Giants. Donald had three tackles, including one for a Giants' loss of yards. New York also lost starting quarterback Jaxson Dart in the first quarter to a knee injury, and backup Jameis Winston replaced him.
Winston completed 11 of 27 passes for 127 yards with no touchdowns. He also threw an interception and was sacked twice by the Rams' defense. Donald and the Rams' defense held the Giants to three third-down conversions in their 14 attempts during the game.
The three-time DPOY mentioned being sore again during his postgame press conference, but this time, the 35-year-old defensive tackle was poking fun at himself after his return.
"I'm a little sore right now, y'all," he said, playfully reaching for his lower back as reporters laughed. "But it felt good to be back out there.
"Got it under my belt. Officially back playing football, came away with a win, so I'm excited about that," Donald also said, calling his first game back, "definitely special."
With the win, the Rams' record improved to 1-1 after they'd previously dropped their season opener to division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, in Melbourne, Australia. Donald didn't play in that game and instead made his big return for the Rams' home opener on "Monday Night Football."
It will be a short week to prepare, as he and the team will visit the Denver Broncos for NBC's "Sunday Night Football" presentation on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 8:15 p.m. ET.
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