Rams DT Donald out, WR Nacua returns against Eagles

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  Sarah BarshopOct 2, 2026, 03:15 PM ET

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  Sarah Barshop covers the Los Angeles Rams for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2016 to cover the Green Bay Packers for ESPN Milwaukee. She then moved to Houston to cover the Texans. She came to ESPN after working as a writer and editor for Sports Illustrated.

LOS ANGELES -- Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald will not play Sunday against the Eagles as he deals with back soreness, coach Sean McVay said Friday.

The Rams will get wide receiver Puka Nacua back from a hip injury after he missed the past two games.

Donald, who came out of retirement in late August, has played 56% of the defensive snaps in the two games he has played this season. Donald "felt some soreness" in his back after the Rams' Week 3 loss to the Denver Broncos, McVay said.

"I think our job as coaches is [to] put our players in positions to have successful outcomes," McVay said. "He's as tough as it gets, just not feeling good enough. And I think it would be irresponsible on my part -- and obviously talking with [team doctor] Reggie [Scott] -- to ask him. He would do it and he could probably go be productive, but part of our job is to protect these tough dudes like him from themselves.

"... He's working as hard as he can to get himself feeling as good as possible. And we're hopeful and optimistic that good days are ahead."

McVay said Nacua will not have an injury designation but the team is still working through how much the wide receiver will play. Nacua has been dealing with the injury since Sept. 17 when he noticed during practice that he felt some pain when trying to change direction on the field.

"Physically he's getting in and out of his breaks, looks strong, looks sturdy, looks explosive," McVay said. "I think it'll really just be a feel for the overall conditioning. Hoping the magic of the jersey on Sundays, he's feeling real good there."

McVay said Nacua "looked sharp" during practice Thursday, when the Rams have their heaviest workload.

"I thought he handled it well," McVay said. "In terms of the snap count, that's the thing that we have to be willing to navigate. But we've got confidence in some other guys that have played meaningful snaps in his absence. But he does look good. He looks strong, and he looks ready to go."

In the season opener, Nacua had five catches for 74 yards.

The Rams also ruled out tight end Terrance Ferguson (ankle) and cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder), while tight end Colby Parkinson (knee/shoulder) is questionable.