LOS ANGELES — Aaron Donald walked out onto the field, weathering the rare September sheets of rain as game-week preparation continued in the three-time Defensive Player of the Year’s unprecedented return from a two-year retirement.
And then followed wide receiver Puka Nacua, who had dealt with a psoas issue (core/lower back) since mid-preseason and kept him out of a handful of practices.
Myles Garrett threw on his helmet and joined the team Sunday afternoon in Woodland Hills, not loo long thereafter, rotating in with the Rams’ linebackers for individual drills during the media-watching period at the beginning of practice.
All three star Rams practicing in some form for the Rams in the lead-up to their Sept. 10 season opener against the San Francisco 49ers in four days’ time was a sight for sore eyes in Woodland Hills. Garrett (knee swelling), who had missed at least 14 practices that media had a chance to attend since training camp began in July, along with Donald, were set to practice, Rams coach Sean McVay said earlier Sunday.
McVay said on Friday, and reiterated Sunday, that he still hasn’t decided if Donald will play in Week 1. McVay had stated Friday that he expected all players to travel to Melbourne. According to league policy, teams that are playing in Australia do not have to publish an injury report until Tuesday after practice.
When it comes to Nacua and left tackle Alaric Jackson, who face potential suspension from the league for off-the-field conduct, McVay said that both players are expected to be able to play in the season opener against the 49ers, McVay said. Nacua faces a potential suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy related to an ongoing lawsuit he’s faced since March. Jackson was arrested in June, but ultimately not charged for an offseason domestic-violence-related incident in West Hills.
If Jackson were to be suspended, it would be his second violation of the league’s personal conduct policy and could face a larger suspension than the two games he missed during the 2024 season.
“Haven’t heard anything different (from the league),” McVay said when asked about Nacua and Jackson’s status.
Davante’s impact
Continuity between Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams could be the X-factor that helps the Rams’ offense click on all cylinders from kickoff on Thursday night (Friday morning for the Rams) in Melbourne.
Adams, 33, who led the NFL with 14 receiving touchdowns last season, said that’s the idea – continuing to build a connection with Stafford, who missed most of last year’s preseason run-up with a back issue. Of course, it never reared its ugly head in the regular season, as in year 17, Stafford put up a career-best season and claimed league MVP.
“Anytime you have some success, especially doing this toward the end of the season, you like to think you can pick up where you left off,” Adams said. “That’s on paper how you want it to be, and we’ve been putting in the work to to have it look that way as well. (I’m) excited, and and like I said, we’ve been working to to be better than what we were last year, and having more time together obviously helps that.”
Stafford said he feels as if the connection with Adams showcased itself all throughout last season, noting the confidence through successful reps on Sundays has led to an increased understanding between the pair of Rams’ elder statesmen.
“Huge credit to (Adams),” Stafford said. “He’s a guy that’s been around for a long time as well, run a ton of miles and yards on his body, but he’s done an unbelievable job of being available and out there and really practicing his butt off all offseason and training camp, so those kind of things are are great for us to get those reps on.”
Konata Mumpfield, entering his second season on the Rams after they selected him in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft last season, said that Adams’ impact pays dividends even further off the field. Mumpfield told the Southern California News Group that he used to pray to be in a situation to have a mentor such as Adams when joining the league, adding that he spoke to the six-time Pro Bowler on Saturday about having a “domination” mindset during practice.
Mumpfield said that Adams’ mindset is what makes him a special teammate.
“He’s impacted me tenfold,” Mumpfield told SCNG of Adams. “Just understanding like what his mindset is and how he see the game. Being able to just elevate my game; the things that I don’t see, things that I want to learn, because when you come to the next level, it’s a lot different.”