Aaron Donald Works Out Again at Rams Training Camp

Retired defensive tackle Aaron Donald took part in a workout with the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday at the team’s Woodland Hills facility, marking his second on-field session with the club during the current training camp. The workout later appeared on the NFL’s official transaction report on Sunday, a procedural detail that renewed attention around whether Donald could return to professional football.

The Rams have not announced any decision about Donald rejoining the active roster. Officials have treated the situation as unresolved, with no firm timeline publicly attached to a final outcome.

NFL transaction entry adds focus, but no roster move follows

According to the transaction listing, Donald’s Saturday workout was recorded as a roster-related item even though he has remained retired since stepping away from the game in March 2024. The entry did not include any accompanying roster action, and it did not signal a change in his status. Donald previously worked out for the Rams in early August. Saturday’s session therefore represents the second time in this training camp that he has been with the team in an organized capacity, while still outside the roster structure. The appearance of a formal transaction note has drawn heightened scrutiny because it creates a visible, league-level record of Donald’s involvement. Even so, the listing itself did not provide any indication of next steps or a pending decision.

Sean McVay says the timing is Donald’s to control Head coach Sean McVay said the Rams are Head coach Sean McVay said the Rams are giving Donald room to decide his future on his own timeline. McVay added that the organization has not set a formal deadline for Donald to make a final call. After the earlier August workout, McVay said Donald appeared to be in excellent physical condition. Despite that assessment, the team has continued to avoid making any definitive statement about whether he will return to play. For the Rams, the workouts have created a rare mid-camp storyline: a former All-Pro who ended a 10-year run with the franchise in March 2024 remains close enough to the organization to be evaluated in a formal setting, but is not part of the active roster unless and until he chooses to come back. Reports tie increased attention to the Myles Garrett trade Reports have said interest in a potential Donald comeback increased after the Rams acquired defensive end Myles Garrett in June. The team has not connected the trade directly to Donald’s workouts, but the timing has been cited as a reason that attention around the situation has intensified.

Until a decision is made, the practical picture remains unchanged: Donald has now worked out twice during this training camp, with the latest session reflected on the league’s transaction record, and the Rams have not announced a final determination.

What remains unclear is whether Donald is actively pursuing a return, how quickly he would want to decide, or whether the Rams would make a corresponding roster move if he chooses to play. Team officials have indicated only that the process is open-ended, with Donald controlling the timing.