Aaron Donald Out for Rams vs. 49ers in Australia, Latest NFL Rumors on Star's Timeline to Return

Los Angeles Rams fans will have to wait at least one game to see Aaron Donald's return to the field.

Head coach Sean McVay told reporters Tuesday the future Hall of Famer will not travel with the team to Australia for Thursday's game against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers.

"The Rams want to give Donald more time to ramp up before making his much-anticipated return after two seasons of retirement," ESPN's Adam Schefter wrote.

DK's Wild Antarctica Conspiracy Theory 🤨

That Donald needs a bit more time to get ready for game action perhaps shouldn't come as a significant surprise since he last played during the 2023 campaign.

He also has a long-term outlook for the season after coming back to join one of the presumed Super Bowl favorites:

While he won't play in Thursday's game, the defensive tackle is pleased with his progress to this point.

"A couple plays I was a little rusty," Donald said, per ESPN's Sarah Barshop . "It isn't where I want to be, but it's pretty damn good, if you ask me. To not play football in two years, to be moving how I'm moving, like I said, it's really no drop off. It's not where I want to be because I can see it and I know there are things that I want to clean up and I'm going to clean up. The more reps I do, the more I play, it'll get there. But he's still there."

He also said, "I never do anything to be average" and made it clear he still plans on playing at a high level.

And few players in NFL history have reached his level with a resume that includes three Defensive Player of the Year awards, a Super Bowl title, a Defensive Rookie of the Year, eight First-Team All-Pro selections and 10 Pro Bowl nods.

While it may be unrealistic to expect the 35-year-old to still be the best defensive player in the league, the idea of him pairing with Myles Garrett along the defensive line is surely a daunting one for opposing offensive lines.

San Francisco's offensive line can take a deep breath knowing it won't have to deal with him Thursday, although the two teams play again in Week 14.