Rams crush Giants on Donald’s return to NFL as Dart hobbles off with knee injury

Davante Adams made eight catches for 195 yards and hauled in two of Matthew Stafford’s four touchdown passes, and the Los Angeles Rams welcomed Aaron Donald back to the NFL with a 28-6 victory over the New York Giants on Monday night.

Stafford passed for 327 yards for the Rams (1-1), who capitalized after the Giants (1-1) lost Jaxson Dart to a knee injury on their first offensive series.

The Rams played without injured All-Pros Puka Nacua and Myles Garrett, but Stafford and Adams put on a vintage performance as the preseason Super Bowl favorites rebounded from their 27-7 debacle of a loss to the 49ers in Australia.

Adams’s catches and yards receiving were his best in a Rams uniform, while reigning MVP Stafford moved into sixth place in NFL history with his 426th career TD pass. He moved past Philip Rivers when Adams adroitly tracked down an 11-yard fade in the third quarter.

Jameis Winston replaced Dart and went 11 of 27 for 111 yards with an interception. Dart left the field after taking a huge hit from Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart on New York’s seventh play. The second-year quarterback, who looked great in last week’s win over Dallas, watched the second half in a track suit while the Giants managed just 182 yards of offense compared to LA’s 481. ESPN reported that Dart sprained his MCL and will miss playing time, but he is not believed to have broken any bones. He will undergo an MRI on Tuesday.

The night was also a milestone for Donald, who had three tackles for the Rams in his first NFL game in 32 months. The three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, who skipped the Week 1 trip to Melbourne, got wild cheers from Rams fans at every opportunity at SoFi Stadium.

“It felt good to be out there and get a game under my belt … I’m a little sore right now,” said Donald after the game.

Adams was extraordinary in the second game of his 13th NFL season. He made a two-handed grab high above his head before taking it for a 31-yard touchdown on the Rams’ second possession, and he made a 64-yard catch on their third drive to set up Kyren Williams’s 10-yard TD catch.

“He attacked all areas of the field, he’s a fantastic football player we’re lucky to have him,” said Stafford.

Winston and the Giants’ offense couldn’t get much going after Dart’s exit. Winston threw an end-zone interception to Trent McDuffie in the second quarter, and their only points came from field goals.

Stafford and Dart spoke briefly after the game. “I said I’m pulling for him,” Stafford told ESPN. “I don’t expect him to tell me what’s going on, but I just wanted him to know I’m pulling for him. I want young guys in this league who play our position to play well. He’s doing a heck of a job, I hope he’s back sooner rather than later.”