McVay: Donald unlikely to play again this season

The Los Angeles Rams will likely shut down star defensive tackle Aaron Donald for the remainder of the season, head coach Sean McVay said Friday, according to team reporter Stu Jackson.

With the Rams officially eliminated from playoff contention, McVay said Donald - who has missed the last three games with a knee injury - "probably" won't play again in 2022.

The head coach officially ruled Donald out from Sunday's Christmas game against the Denver Broncos.

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year earned his ninth straight Pro Bowl nomination this season despite L.A.'s overall team struggles and his drop in production.

Donald has just five sacks in 11 appearances this year after racking up double-digit quarterback takedowns in each of his last five campaigns.

The 31-year-old contemplated retirement after guiding the Rams to a Super Bowl title and earning MVP honors in the win over the Cincinnati Bengals last season.

However, he opted to return after agreeing to a new three-year, $95-million deal in June that made him the NFL's highest-paid non-passer.

After also dealing with major injuries to quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Cooper Kupp, the reigning champions sit at 4-10 entering Week 16.