49ers HC Kyle Shanahan Gets Real on Prepping for Rams Without Aaron Donald
In what would normally be a marquee matchup between two NFC West powerhouses, the San Francisco 49ers’ preparation for their upcoming clash with the Los Angeles Rams has taken an unusual twist. Rams superstar defensive tackle Aaron Donald, one of the most disruptive forces in the NFL for nearly a decade, is reportedly expected to miss the contest due to an injury. For 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, the absence of Donald is significant, but it doesn’t mean his team can afford to take the Rams lightly.
Shanahan, known for his meticulous game planning, addressed the elephant in the room during his latest press conference. When asked about how Donald’s absence will affect his team’s approach, Shanahan was both pragmatic and cautious. “There’s no doubt Aaron Donald is one of the best to ever do it,” he said. “He’s a game-wrecker, and you have to account for him on every play. But the Rams are a well-coached team with a lot of talent beyond Aaron. So, we can’t let our guard down just because he’s not in there.”
The Aaron Donald Factor
Aaron Donald has been a constant thorn in the side of opposing offenses since he entered the league in 2014. With three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards to his name, his ability to penetrate the line of scrimmage and disrupt plays has earned him a reputation as a one-man wrecking crew. For the 49ers, facing Donald twice a year has become an annual challenge, and Shanahan has spent many sleepless nights devising ways to neutralize him.
“Whenever you face the Rams, the first thing you think about is how to block Donald,” Shanahan admitted. “You have to change your protection schemes and sometimes even your play-calling to keep him from wrecking your game plan.”
For the 49ers’ offensive line, Donald’s absence might feel like a relief. Over the years, they’ve had their hands full with the All-Pro tackle, and even when they’ve succeeded in keeping him out of the backfield, his mere presence has forced the 49ers to commit extra resources to blocking him. “It’s not just about stopping him from getting sacks,” Shanahan explained. “He blows up run plays, forces double teams, and frees up other guys to make plays. He changes the entire dynamic of their defense.”
A Balanced Attack
With Donald sidelined, Shanahan’s offensive strategy could potentially open up, allowing more freedom in the passing and running games. “We know they’ll have to make some adjustments, and we’ll have to adjust accordingly,” Shanahan said. “You can’t take it for granted that just because one guy is out, everything is going to be easy. You have to respect the other 10 guys on the field.”
The 49ers boast one of the most dynamic offenses in the league, spearheaded by quarterback Brock Purdy and bolstered by versatile playmakers like Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle. Donald’s absence might allow Shanahan to rely less on quick passes and misdirection plays and focus more on attacking downfield.
“We know we can stretch the field, but that’s not something you ever want to force,” Shanahan said. “The key is to stay balanced. Whether Donald’s in or out, we want to run the ball effectively and set up the pass from there.”
Respect for the Rams’ Defense
While Donald’s absence looms large, Shanahan was quick to point out that the Rams’ defense still has plenty of firepower. “They’ve got a lot of guys who can make plays. Leonard Floyd is a name that comes to mind, and they have a young secondary that’s really coming together. Their coaching staff is great at putting guys in positions to succeed.”
One player Shanahan singled out was Floyd, the Rams’ edge rusher who had 9.5 sacks last season. “Floyd’s someone we’ve had to game plan for even when Donald’s been in the lineup. He’s long, athletic, and knows how to get after the quarterback. We’ll have to keep an eye on him.”
Shanahan also highlighted the Rams’ linebacker corps and their improving secondary. “They play fast, they’re aggressive, and they’re well-coached. Just because Aaron’s not in the middle doesn’t mean they’re not going to get after us.”
A Focus on Execution
As much as Shanahan respects the Rams’ remaining talent, he emphasized that the key to victory will be the 49ers executing their game plan at a high level. “In this league, you win games by out-executing the other team. That’s what we’re focused on – executing, doing our jobs, and staying disciplined.”
Shanahan mentioned that despite the temptation to overhaul the game plan in light of Donald’s absence, the 49ers would stick to their core principles. “We’ve got a system, and we believe in it. Obviously, you make adjustments based on who you’re playing, but at the end of the day, it comes down to execution.”
Keeping the Team Focused
One of Shanahan’s biggest challenges heading into this matchup may be keeping his team focused and not letting Donald’s absence create a false sense of security. “We’ve been in this league long enough to know that when one guy goes down, someone else steps up,” he said. “The Rams are going to come out hungry. They’re a proud team, and they’ve got a lot to play for.”
Shanahan drew from his own experience dealing with injuries to key players. “Look, we’ve had games where we’ve been missing guys like George [Kittle] or Nick [Bosa], and people counted us out. But we found ways to win because the other guys stepped up. We have to expect the same thing from them.”
The head coach also addressed the psychological aspect of facing a team missing a star player. “It’s easy to think you’re going to have an easier time because one guy’s out, but that’s when you get into trouble. We have to stay sharp and treat this game like any other.”
The 49ers’ Mindset
Ultimately, Shanahan stressed that his team’s focus remains on their own preparation and execution. “We’ve got goals this season, and the Rams are just another obstacle in our way. Whether Aaron Donald is on the field or not, we have to go out there and play our game.”
The 49ers come into this matchup with plenty of momentum, and despite Donald’s absence, Shanahan knows the Rams won’t go down without a fight. “It’s always a battle when we play the Rams. They’re going to come out swinging, and we’ll be ready for them.”
As the 49ers gear up for their divisional showdown, Shanahan’s message is clear: don’t overlook the Rams, and never underestimate the power of preparation and execution.