2017-Present - McVay's run

Aaron Donald may take his holdout into the regular season

(Photo: Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)

There is a minor sense of urgency in Los Angeles Rams camp for star DT Aaron Donald to report to training camp with starting DT Dominique Easley expecting to miss the entire 2017 season after suffering a torn ACL on August 1.

Donald, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle and one of the best defensive players overall in the NFL, has not had the necessary repetitions needed in the Rams’ new hybrid 3-4 defensive scheme implemented by new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. When asked if this would be a concern for his defense, the new defensive coordinator was not worried about how Donald’s holdout would affect his unit’s performance on the field. “I’m pleased with where we are right now,” Phillips said.

Donald is entering his fourth year as a pro, and despite the having the reputation of being one of the most productive players in the league, he certainly is not getting paid like it. The star defensive tackle is scheduled to get paid $3.2 million this season, which equates to being the 34th best-paid player at that position. Unfortunately, Donald may not have much leverage in getting a more favorable contract anytime soon.

Unfortunately, it appears that Donald is not backing down from his training camp holdout anytime soon.

On August 17, ESPN reported via anonymous sources that Aaron Donald is not afraid to continue his holdout into the regular season. As the Rams wrapped up their training camp in Irvine the same day, neither side appeared ready to blink anytime soon. This is a nightmare for an already thin defensive line for first-year head coach Sean McVay.

With Donald not looking to budge anytime soon the nightmare scenario for the defense up front is starting to happen. Their best player and leader on the defensive side of the ball is nowhere near camp. Their depth chart has taken a hit with the injury to Easley. The lack of depth up front will cause major problems for the Rams early on, especially if Donald continues his holdout. It’s time for management and the Pro Bowl tackle to meet and find a resolution to this. If Donald returns to the field without a restructured contract, it is all but certain that we will see a repeat situation happen next season in camp.

Sources:Ryan Kartje, OC Register, Gary Klein, LA Times, Rich Hammond, OC Register, Connor Orr, OC Register.com

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