The Los Angeles Rams may have stumbled in their season opener against the San Francisco 49ers when the two teams met in Melbourne, Australia, but head coach Sean McVay is not about to panic. The Rams placed defensive end Myles Garrett on Injured Reserve because of knee issues and he will miss at least four weeks. However, that does not mean the Rams will rush Aaron Donald back into the lineup.
Donald is returning this season after a three-year absence in which he had retired from the NFL.; However, the Rams look like one of the strongest teams in the league, and Donald has decided to return. However, that means he will start playing again when he is confident that he is prepared and ready for the hard-hitting of NFL football.
He could be ready to play in Monday night's home opener against the New York Giants. However, that decision may not be made until slightly before game time. It will be up to Donald, the Rams coaching staff and the team's medical personnel to decide if the Monday night game is the right time for him to return, according to McVay.
The Rams were decisive favorites to supplant the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West and go on to win the Super Bowl prior to the start of the season. While the Rams played poorly in their trip Down Under, there's no reason for McVay or his team to panic.
The Rams have an explosive offense as well as a hard-hitting and dangerous defense that should be in a position to dominate against most opponents this season. An 0-1 start is no reason to rush a superstar back into the lineup before he is ready.