Some have suggested, now that the Rams are closing in on a division title, that defensive tackle Aaron Donald should come out of retirement for a potential Super Bowl run.
Regardless of whether it does or doesn’t make sense for the Rams, or whether Donald would or wouldn’t be ready to go without much practice, it’s too late.
The Rams placed Donald on the reserve/retired list on July 26. Per the NFL, the deadline for emerging from the reserve/retired list is the final business day before Week 13.
In theory, the Rams could release Donald from the reserve/retired list and then sign him as a free agent. However, he’d have to pass through waivers. Surely, another team would make a claim.
That happened 22 years ago, when Washington released Deion Sanders from the reserve/retired list, so that he could play for the Raiders. The Chargers made a successful waivers claim. (The Chiefs, Colts, Steelers, and Titans also made claims for Deion’s rights.)
So, no, Donald can’t walk through the front door of the L.A. facility and help the Rams toward another Super Bowl win. Given how they’re currently playing, they have a decent chance of making that happen without him.
