Turf Show Times
Since the Los Angeles Rams traded for Myles Garrett last week, rumors have surfaced regarding a possible Aaron Donald return. Despite everything the future Hall of Famer gave the Rams during his illustrious career, an AD comeback story would be a massive mistake in 2026.
For one, it’s hard to return to anything after years away, and it’s even tougher for professional athletes. Several iconic NFL players are a living testament to that fact.
Marshawn Lynch had a forgettable second act with the Raiders and later the Seahawks following his initial retirement in 2015. Randy Moss came out of retirement just in time for the 49ers’ Super Bowl run in 2012, but was no longer the player who once terrified the league early in his career. Deion Sanders returned after three seasons away with the Ravens from 2004-05, and had moderate success as Baltimore missed the playoffs both years.
Former Rams safety Eric Weddle understands the difficulty firsthand, coming out of retirement for the team’s Super Bowl run after two years away. Weddle told Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer that he believes Donald “could go play right now,” but it depends on how badly he wants to endure the mental and physical aspects of the game again:
“I just think from experience, you get comfortable in what you’re doing. He’s still obviously training like a madman—I wasn’t training like that or even working out to that extent, it was more so to just feel good. But he still is pushing around a lot of weight, and it really comes down to the commitment and the fire, if you have it or not. And only he knows that. But if he does, if this does light something in him? When does he come back? Does he want to do the whole season? Does he want to do half?”
The physical component is a key factor, given that all the training in the world can’t brace AD for the hits after nearly three years away. Donald ended his decade-long career relatively healthy, save for his injury-shortened 2022 campaign. He would be reentering the league at 35 years old, and the injury risk only grows the older you get.
Weddle, for example, ruptured his pec and reinjured his groin and hamstring in the win over the Bengals in the big game. He said he is still feeling his injuries from that final season, something that could easily happen to Donald, intense training be damned.
“I mean, my knees, my back, my neck, obviously my pec, my hips, like I had all those anyway. But coming off the couch from not doing anything preparation-wise for two years and then playing? I think it’s definitely set me back, health-wise. No doubt about it,” Weddle told SI.
Additionally, Donald retired on top, though not with a Super Bowl ring, but with accolades.
AD finished his career with first-team All-Pro honors for the eighth time in...
