Aaron Donald's Status for Rams vs. 49ers Updated by Sean McVay Ahead of NFL Opener

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay is leaving Aaron Donald's status for Week 1 up in the air.

McVay told reporters that the upcoming week would be a "big week" for Donald as he assesses "how he feels."

"If he feels good enough to go, great," McVay said of the defensive tackle. "If not, I've got a lot of confidence in the other guys that'll be ready to step up if that's the case, that have really gotten all the reps anyways."

The Rams open the season against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday in Melbourne, so the clock is ticking to make a decision about Donald's status. ESPN's Dan Graziano reported earlier this week that the star playing in Week 1 might be a long shot, but added that it's "still on the table."

"I would say based on everything I've been told, a Week 2 or 3 debut looks more likely than Week 1," Graziano reported during a Tuesday appearance on NFL Live

McVay also emphasised last week that the team isn't rushing Donald back to the field and feels confident against the 49ers with or without him.

"What I think is really good for us is if he's able to go, great. If not, that's kind of how we've been operating as is," McVay told reporters . "And guys have done an excellent job of being able to do some really cool stuff in the meantime. And so, if he's not ready and that's not what's best for him and for the team, absolutely wouldn't have him playing Australia unnecessarily."

Even though Donald didn't join the Rams until late in training camp, he's managed to get back into football shape. ESPN's Sarah Barshop reported last week that after the Rams traded for Myles Garrett, Donald began putting himself through a "very strict, regimented process that was similar to what he did when he played," so he should be pretty warmed up at this point.

Donald also isn't expected to take on a strenuous workload, as Albert Breer of SI.com reported this week that he could play between 30 and 40 snaps per game.

Even if Donald isn't expected to take on the bulk of the defensive snaps, the Rams are surely being cautious with the 35-year-old. If he isn't 100 percent ready to go by Thursday, it sounds like he'll wait to make his season debut.