Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald hasn’t recorded a sack and has only seven total tackles this season, but that doesn’t tell the story of how Donald has played in the first three games of the year.
That’s the word from Los Angeles coach Jeff Fisher, who thinks Donald deserves a lot of the credit for the Rams winning the last two games, even if Donald’s contributions aren’t measured in the box score.
“He’s getting double-teamed and he’s getting all those scheme things that you get offensively,” Fisher said. “It creates other opportunities for someone else. We have to keep moving him around a little bit and create the one-on-ones. Even though his numbers aren’t reflecting it, he’s very productive.”
Donald had 11 sacks last season and will surely have plenty before this year is done as well, but his contribution to the Rams’ defense goes far beyond the number of sacks he records. Donald is a disruptive presence who commands double teams and impacts every play, every time he’s on the field. With J.J. Watt sidelined, Donald may now be the best defensive player in the NFL.