Aaron Donald injury update has Rams in tough spot against Eagles

The Los Angeles Rams will be without one of their key defenders in Sunday's NFC heavyweight battle with the Philadelphia Eagles .

Defensive tackle Aaron Donald has been ruled out due to a back injury, coach Sean McVay announced on Friday, Oct. 2.

Donald, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year who came out of retirement in late August to rejoin his former team, sat out practice Wednesday and Thursday with back soreness.

"(Donald)'s as tough as it gets. Just not feeling good enough," McVay said, according to the Los Angeles Times' Gary Klein . "He would do it and he could probably go be productive, but part of our job is to protect these tough dudes like him from themselves."

After sitting out the season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia, Donald has four tackles in two games and has yet to record a sack.

Cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder) and tight end Terrance Ferguson (ankle) were also ruled out, but wide receiver Puka Nacua was cleared to play after missing the last two games with a hip and groin issue.

The Rams are trying to avoid falling in a 1-3 hole against the Eagles, to whom they've lost their last four contests.