Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
One man has the San Francisco 49ers more spooked than any other in the build-up to their historic NFL season opener in Melbourne – and he isn’t even a confirmed starter.
The Los Angeles Rams are yet to decide whether defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who came out of retirement a week ago, will make his comeback at the MCG on Friday.
But Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan is prepared for his team to face an opponent whose initial retirement in March 2024 prompted wild celebrations in the Bay Area.
“I remember when he retired, I didn’t see the alerts and stuff, I heard everyone down the hallway cheering,” Shanahan told reporters in Melbourne on Monday.
“I was like, ‘What the hell’s going on?’ And then I got it on my phone and it was probably the most we’ve celebrated in the off-season ever.”
Shanahan joked he “wasn’t crushed” when he learnt of Donald’s return, having already decided a month ago that a comeback was on the cards.
The 35-year-old Donald’s decision came after a series of secret workouts and talks with Rams head coach Sean McVay.
“I prepared for that the right way, and it is what it is,” Shanahan said.
“He’s a hell of a player and we’ll have our work cut out (with) him.”
A future Hall of Fame member, Donald has 12.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 18 regular-season games against San Francisco.
“He’s a force, man. He’s such a good player and has been his entire career,” 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey said.
“When we’re going through the scouting report you’ve got to know where he is and you’ve got to know where 95 (Myles Garrett) is.”
Niners linebacker Fred Warner said having “one of the greatest of all-time” back in the fold made the Rams an even more imposing proposition.
“They were already a stacked team, but to have Aaron back makes them that much better of a football team,” Warner said.
“I know our offence has our hands full with what their defence has on their side of the ball.
“But it’s our job to put the right plan together to make sure we’re not letting them wreck the game.”
In Los Angeles, where the Rams are preparing for their Melbourne hit-and-run mission, McVay said he is “truly taking it a day at a time” in regards to when Donald will return to action.
The Rams are leaving California on Tuesday night (local time) to arrive in Australia on Thursday, about 24 hours before the season opener kicks off at 10.35am (AEST) on Friday morning.
