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LOS ANGELES -- Aaron Donald was not happy with the way his season began. "I didn’t win my one-on-ones," the Los Angeles Rams' star defensive lineman said after Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Washington Redskins. "When I have one-on-ones, I usually win those."  Donald spent the entire summer holding out, using what little leverage he had to try to turn the past two years of his rookie contract into a lucrative extension. He returned Sept. 9, the day before the Rams' season opener, and didn't practice with the team until the following Wednesday. He went into Sunday's game having only practiced in pads one time, and he finished it with no sacks, one tackle for a loss and little else.
Donald -- first-team All-Pro after each of the past two seasons -- said his body held up fine while playing 48 snaps, which accounted for 68 percent of the defensive workload and was only three shy of the lead for Rams defensive linemen. Transitioning to a 3-4 defense under Wade Phillips was no big deal. "It’s the same as a 4-3, honestly," Donald said. "I had a lot of one-on-ones. I need to win those. That’s what they put me out there for. Just gotta knock off the cobwebs and go out there and play a lot better and help my team win, and try to pull out close games like this.” The Rams lost mainly because they couldn't contain the Redskins on the ground, allowing 229 rushing yards on 39 carries. Most of Kirk Cousins' passes were short, which helped neutralize a Rams pass rush that was boosted by Donald. Rams outside linebacker Robert Quinn felt Donald's presence made the Redskins "a little nervous." But his impact was ultimately minimal. Donald felt he was "doing too much thinking" and didn't want to blame all the time he spent away from the team. "That’s on me," Donald said. "I just have to play better." Donald will get his next opportunity quickly, with the Rams playing a Week 3 game on the road against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night. It'll be a big test for Donald's body, which isn't accustomed to taking repeated hits and probably isn't in football shape at the moment. But Donald didn't sound concerned. "I’ll be good," he said. "I’m going to be ready. A lot more ready than I was this week.”
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