Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald isn't utterly worried about the novel coronavirus having an impact on his play on the field. The hulking Pro Bowler has been keeping in shape during the offseason and recently eased concerns that he'd be ready when the 2020 NFL season starts.
“I still have to get on grass and be ready as far as technique and things like that, but I'll be ready, we'll be ready to play,” Donald told Steve Wyche of NFL.com.
The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly put all NFL players in uncharted waters. However, Donald is no stranger to missing workouts.
The 6-foot-1 defensive end missed offseason workouts in 2017 and 2018 due to contractual disputes and even then, he dominated the competition without issues.
This is why he doesn't foresee much of an issue this 2020 season. He's not missing out on the Xs and Os either, as players are being taught about their playbook remotely through Zoom calls.
Things, however, will be a little different whenever the season does start — and Donald knows it. When the NFL season gets underway, it'll likely be without the thousands of roaring fans that come to cheer him on:
“I feel like, you need fans to play,” said Donald. “I don't see how you can play games with no fans. It takes all the excitement and fun out the game. You make a big play and the fans will pick you up. Fans give you that extra juice when you're tired and fatigued. You don't have the fans it takes the fun out of it. It wouldn't be fun to me. I don't think it would be fun to play a football game without fans.”
Fans or not, contractually — Donald has to play whether he likes it or not. It'll be a major adjustment for him and his teammates, as well as the rest of the NFL. But he will be ready when the time comes.
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