Retired DT Aaron Donald is still with the Rams, the team will miss him

For the first time as head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, Sean McVay is preparing to play an entire season without star defensive tackle Aaron Donald, a hole in the Rams' defense that the team has come to terms with just days before its season opener against the Detroit Lions.

“I want them to play the way they can, the way they did in the offseason and training camp. I want them to be able to play at their own pace. Enjoy it,” McVay told reporters this week. “I really love this group that we're with. We've said it time and time again, and you know that. You're never going to replace an Aaron Donald, and that's not what we ask of our guys.”