Aaron Donald reported to the Rams on Saturday and passed a physical, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (on Twitter).
Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets the All-Pro defensive lineman will not play on Sunday against the Colts, and Florio adds (via Twitter) Donald may not be ready to play in Week 2.
The Rams waived all fines (up to $1.48MM) that could have been levied against Donald for missing more than a month’s worth of practices throughout the preseason, Florio tweets, adding that he’ll now be paid for Week 1 as well. Donald reporting Saturday also prevented missing out on a forfeiture of a signing bonus payment of $711K, Florio notes.
This progress display from both sides does not mean an extension agreement’s occurred. Schefter notes (on Twitter) no such accord’s been reached, but the Rams and Donald will keep trying as he enters his fourth season — and first of extension eligibility. Essentially, Donald lost no significant money for missing out on six-plus weeks’ worth of work and in training independently incurred less risk of an injury that would have potentially damaged his value.
The 26-year-old Donald is under Rams contract for two more seasons but will only make $1.8MM in base salary this year. The incredibly team-friendly agreement induced the holdout, but Donald will now no longer risk losing $106K weekly by being absent from the team. He spent this week on the east coast after speaking with Rams management about an extension in Atlanta last week. After said meeting, a Donald deal — which the Rams understand will need to set a new standard for a defensive player — was “not close.”
Sunday’s game against the Colts in Los Angeles will feature much less star power than it would have under optimal circumstances, with Andrew Luck out as well.
Donald will now begin work in Wade Phillips‘ new 3-4 scheme, which calls for the 6-foot-1 superstar to play defensive end when the Rams deploy base sets. He’s lined up at three technique since emerging as a force his rookie season, and while he still stands to play at that spot frequently, there’s likely some systemic intel to absorb before he makes his 2017 debut in either Week 2 (against the Redskins) or Week 3 (against the 49ers).
I disagree with waiving the fines. Only way to prevent this occurring in future is for these guys to know there are consequences. Plus, he will now get paid for missing 1-2, maybe 3 games due to not being physically ready possibly or learning a new defense. Stupid to pay. The only lesson he, or other players learned, is you can not work and still get paid. Bull crap
Thats only gonna piss donald off more
I do hear what youre saying and for some guys I’m sure they’d take a stance but as Dodgerfan pointed out that makes for some hostile negotiations going forward. He might have sat out more games in the regular season too. He doesn’t make a ton by today’s standards so he wouldn’t be giving up a ton of money. Waiving the fines is the way to go. Can’t say who’s at fault without knowing the offers and asking price
Jealous much???
This is the way the league works. Players have to hold out. If Donald gets hurts before free agency, he will make little for his career. He has to go for a mega contract. 1.8 million isn’t that much to live on for the rest of his life. He needs and has earned the mega deal. The rams need to sign him or let him go in two years.
Pay the man. Donald is the only reason the rams are even considered to be decent.