Rams plan to bring entire roster to Melbourne for season opener in Australia
Sean McVay confirmed Friday the Rams expect every player to make the trip for the Sept. 10 opener against the 49ers, including Aaron Donald, whose Week 1 status remains undecided as he ramps up after returning from retirement.
Posted
The Los Angeles Rams plan to bring their entire roster to Australia for the season opener, with Sean McVay confirming Friday that every player is expected to make the trip for the Sept. 10 meeting with the San Francisco 49ers at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The answer carries real significance for Aaron Donald, whose return from retirement made his travel status an open question just days ago.
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter): Rams plan to bring all their players to Melbourne, Australia, for their season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, HC Sean McVay said Friday. More via @sarahbarshop: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49826940/rams-plan-bring-entire-team-season-opener-including-donald
McVay said earlier this week there was "absolutely" a possibility Donald would not travel as he ramps up after coming out of retirement and signing with Los Angeles on Sunday. On Friday, the coach said he does not have "a sense quite yet" about whether Donald will play against the 49ers, while adding that the defensive tackle's ramp-up since signing has been "really good" and that Donald is "so intentional about his rhythm and routine."
Donald took part in individual drills Sunday but did not practice Monday — a decision McVay said "was part of the plan all along." McVay told ESPN's Sarah Barshop that this week will be a big one for Donald in 11-on-11 settings, and that he'll take his status day by day: "If he feels good enough to go, great. If not, I've got a lot of confidence in the other guys."
The Rams face the longest road trip in NFL history, while the 49ers have already arrived in Melbourne after traveling roughly 7,800 miles. McVay also said wide receiver Puka Nacua, who has been rehabbing a psoas injury since mid-August, is "making good progress" and returned to practice Sunday.