Aaron Donald is back. And the Rams’ dockside first-team coach expects to see No. 99 on Thursday night in Melbourne.
Via ESPN’s Sarah Barshop, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Sunday that he “definitely” projects Donald to play in the Week 1 matchup under.
Shanahan explained that he was “not crushed” when Donald announced his return after two years of retirement, “because I decided a month ago that it was happening.”
“So I prepared for it the right way, and it is what it is,” Shanahan added. “He’s a hell of a player and we’ll do our job for him.”
Donald’s sudden exit after the 2023 season prompted cheers at the 49er facility.
“I was like, ‘What the hell is going on?'” Shanahan said. “And then I got it on my phone and it was probably the most offseason we’ve ever celebrated… And then it was the exact opposite this year.”
Although 49ers left tackle Trent Williams has a good chance to match up with new Rams defensive end Myles Garrett, rookie left guard Carver Willis could be forced to face Donald in the ultimate “welcome to the NFL” moment — as Aaron Donald welcomes himself back to the league he dominated for a decade before deciding.
Donald is hungry again. And the first of the 17 courses is the 49ers.
If Donald plays. Shanahan is preparing for it.