With the Los Angeles Rams stuck in a contract stalemate with defensive tackle Aaron Donald, general manager Les Snead is setting a timeline on the All-Pro's availability for Week 1.
Snead said it would "probably be a safe assumption" Donald won't be available for the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts if he doesn't report to the team by the end of the week, according to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez.
The club won't rush Donald back for Week 1 at the risk of not having him later in the season.
"If you get him in this week, the goal would be for him to play a lot over the course of a 16-game season," Snead said. "So if you figure out that it's best to play a lot less Week 1, then that's the best thing to do."
Donald has spent the summer training at his alma mater of Pittsburgh, and was seen there Tuesday by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Todd Gurley, his Rams teammate, admits Donald's personal workouts are no match for team practices.
"I work out three times a day during the offseason. You come back, that first day of practice, it is what it is. That's just football for you. It takes some time. I'm pretty sure he's grinding, but it's definitely different," said Gurley.
