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The biggest storyline heading into Week 2 for the Los Angeles Rams was the return of two-time All-Pro Aaron Donald. After ending his holdout just before the team’s season opener, Donald made his way back onto the field for the Rams’ 27-20 loss to the Washington Redskins on Sunday.
Wade Phillips said going into the game that Donald would be on a “pitch count,” limiting his snaps until he got fully up to speed. After all, he did miss all of camp and the preseason. However, that wasn’t necessarily the case on Sunday.
Donald wound up playing 48 snaps, which equates to 68 percent of the Rams’ defensive plays. Michael Brockers was the only defensive lineman to play more, and he only out-snapped Donald by three plays.
This is a good sign for Donald, who didn’t have a huge impact on the game but was close to making a few big plays. He said he’ll “be good” next week, as far as being in game shape goes, but it’s a short turnaround for the Rams with a game against the 49ers coming up on Thursday night.
As for the rest of the defense, the usual studs played the majority of the game – Alec Ogletree, Lamarcus Joyner, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Mark Barron. Tyrunn Walker and Tanzel Smart saw their snap counts drop with the return of Donald.
On offense, it was much of the same as last week. The starting offensive line played every snap, as did Jared Goff, while Robert Woods and Sammy Watkins played the most for L.A.’s receivers. Cooper Kupp was only in for 60 percent of the team’s offensive plays, which is a bit surprising.
For the second straight week, Tavon Austin struggled to carve out a role. He played just nine offensive snaps and five on special teams, touching the ball a total of six times.
The Rams have to figure out a way to get their highest-paid offensive playmaker touches. Up to this point, he’s merely been a decoy on screen and swing passes, which won’t fool many defenses if he’s not making plays the rest of the time he’s on the field.
Wade Phillips said going into the game that Donald would be on a “pitch count,” limiting his snaps until he got fully up to speed. After all, he did miss all of camp and the preseason. However, that wasn’t necessarily the case on Sunday.
Donald wound up playing 48 snaps, which equates to 68 percent of the Rams’ defensive plays. Michael Brockers was the only defensive lineman to play more, and he only out-snapped Donald by three plays.
This is a good sign for Donald, who didn’t have a huge impact on the game but was close to making a few big plays. He said he’ll “be good” next week, as far as being in game shape goes, but it’s a short turnaround for the Rams with a game against the 49ers coming up on Thursday night.
As for the rest of the defense, the usual studs played the majority of the game – Alec Ogletree, Lamarcus Joyner, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Mark Barron. Tyrunn Walker and Tanzel Smart saw their snap counts drop with the return of Donald.
On offense, it was much of the same as last week. The starting offensive line played every snap, as did Jared Goff, while Robert Woods and Sammy Watkins played the most for L.A.’s receivers. Cooper Kupp was only in for 60 percent of the team’s offensive plays, which is a bit surprising.
For the second straight week, Tavon Austin struggled to carve out a role. He played just nine offensive snaps and five on special teams, touching the ball a total of six times.
The Rams have to figure out a way to get their highest-paid offensive playmaker touches. Up to this point, he’s merely been a decoy on screen and swing passes, which won’t fool many defenses if he’s not making plays the rest of the time he’s on the field.