LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams could get two key defensive reinforcements back at the right time, as head coach Sean McVay said Monday he is optimistic defensive lineman Aaron Donald and cornerback Jaylen Watson will be available for the Week 5 Monday Night Football matchup against the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium. Both players were injured in the Rams' Week 3 Sunday Night Football loss to the Denver Broncos and sat out the Week 4 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Watson exited the Denver game with a shoulder injury later identified as a dislocated shoulder and was ruled out for Week 4, giving him an extra week to recover. The starting cornerback had recorded 10 tackles and three passes defensed through the first three games. McVay said he is hopeful Watson can return to practice this week and could play against Buffalo if his shoulder responds well, a key consideration with quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills' passing attack headed to SoFi Stadium.
Donald dealt with back soreness following the Denver game and was held out of the win over Philadelphia as a precaution, even though McVay said the future Hall of Famer was willing to play. The organization opted to protect Donald from further injury rather than put him on the field at less than full strength. McVay said Monday that Donald's return is "trending" in the right direction, and the team remains hopeful about Watson's availability as well.
Getting both players back would be a major boost for a Rams defense facing one of its toughest tests of the season. Donald's presence changes the game at the line of scrimmage, while Watson would strengthen a secondary that will have its hands full with Allen and Buffalo's receivers. Los Angeles is taking a cautious approach, but after missing Week 4, both players appear to be trending toward a return when the Rams need them most.