It’s a rarity for one of the best players in NFL history to have such a long layoff between games, especially in the prime of their career.
Yet that will be the case when three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year winner Aaron Donald takes the field on September 10. Donald played in a game for the Los Angeles Rams on November 27, 2022. An ankle injury cut short his season after just 11 games, but surgery, rest, recuperation, and a longer than normal offseason has given Donald the opportunity to come back stronger, faster, and better.
“I’m in the best shape of my life,” Donald told HauteLiving.com in a recent interview. “I feel like my strength is where it needs to be. I’m coming off ankle surgery this season, so I’m trying to keep my body in top shape, pretty much training Monday through Friday and sometimes Saturdays.”
Donald also pointed to his new diet as another reason why he considers himself in the best shape of his life.
“I’m trying to stay away from a lot of fried food, sugars, and things that can cause inflammation,” said Donald. “I eat a lot of protein. If I eat certain bad stuff, I just feel like I have to work out…I grew up a chubby little kid, and I try as hard as I can to not get back to that chubby little kid. I’m scared of that guy, because I like to take my shirt off and look good. So I’m trying to make sure I’m healthy for football, but also for life.”
Donald is just 32 years old and still in the prime of his career. He’s coming off one of his worst statistical seasons in 2022 where he recorded just five sacks in those 11 games. That’s a far cry from the player who tallied nearly 50 sacks between 2018 and 2021.
Donald made the final two defensive stops to cement the Rams’ victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in February 2022, and that helped them win the Super Bowl. After the win, Donald considered retiring, but he thought he had a lot more football in him. The potential Hall of Fame first-ballot pick is now trying to return to the postseason in 2023 with a youthful and inexperienced defence.
