Aaron Donald and Jaylen Watson back in Rams practice ahead of Bills showdown

Defensive tackle Aaron Donald and cornerback Jaylen Watson reported to Rams practice Thursday in Los Angeles, marking their first on‑field activity since injuries sidelined them earlier in the season.

Donald missed the previous week’s practice because of back soreness that kept him out of the Rams’ dramatic comeback win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He was seen working vigorously during Thursday’s session, and he told coaches he feels great and intends to play on Monday night against the Buffalo Bills.

Watson, who dislocated his right shoulder in the second quarter of the Week 3 loss to the Denver Broncos, returned wearing a protective shoulder harness. The equipment restricts his range of motion, but Watson said the trade‑off is worth it and that he hopes to be available for the Bills game.

The Rams are set to host the Bills at SoFi Stadium on Monday Night Football, a matchup that pits Los Angeles’ defense against a Buffalo offense that averages nearly 32 points per game. Josh Allen, the Bills’ quarterback, has been compared by Donald to a “futuristic Big Ben,” highlighting the challenge the Rams will face.

Both players’ returns come as the Rams deal with other injury concerns. Defensive end Myles Garrett remains on injured reserve after knee surgery, and safety Quentin Lake missed Thursday’s practice with a hip injury. Yet the coaching staff expressed optimism that the limited participation of Donald and Watson signals progress.

Coach Sean McVay said the plan is to “ramp them up throughout the week” and monitor how each player responds. He added that the team’s defensive front performed well against the Eagles, holding them to just 93 passing yards even without Donald or Watson on the field.

With the Bills’ high‑scoring attack looming, the Rams will rely on any healthy bodies they can muster. Donald’s interior pressure and Watson’s secondary coverage could be decisive factors as Los Angeles looks to contain Allen’s dual‑threat ability.

The next development will be the Rams’ final roster decisions ahead of kickoff on Monday, when fans will see whether Donald and Watson are cleared to take the field against one of the league’s most potent offenses.