For the second-straight year, the Los Angeles Rams find themselves having to prepare for the new season without star defensive tackle Aaron Donald due to his contract holdout, which may or may not be nearing a resolution.
Donald’s absence likely isn’t ideal preparation for the Rams coaches, who also have several new pieces to integrate to the defense this year. But Rams running back Todd Gurley doesn't seem too broken up about not having to face Donald during practice.
“We were talking about that last night. We were like, ‘Literally if AD was here, like he would eff up the whole practice,’” Gurley said per Cameron DaSilva of RamsWire. “Because it’s like, you get the handoff and he’s like right there. So, a guy like that you have to sit him back and tell him to tone it down a little bit just so you can get some good reps.”
Quarterback Jared Goff also echoed Gurley’s sentiments about not having to worry about Donald “ruining the play” for the offense.
While Gurley and Goff are obviously joking around about enjoying Donald’s absence, there is an element of truth to what they’re saying. As one writer recently declared, Donald is just about the most unblockable pass rusher in the entire league and consistently lives in the opposition’s backfield. That’s not a very pleasant thing to go up against, even for his teammates.
But while the Rams duo doesn’t mind not having to face Donald in practice, they would obviously want to have their reigning Defensive Player of the Year back and wreaking havoc on opposing offenses once the season starts.
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