Kyle Shanahan expects Aaron Donald to play on Thursday evening

Aaron Donald is again. And the coach of the primary group on the Rams' docket expects to see No. 99 on Thursday evening in Melbourne.

Through Sarah Barshop of ESPN, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan instructed reporters on Sunday that he "y" anticipates Donald enjoying within the Week 1 showdown down beneath.

Shanahan defined that he "wasn't crushed" when Donald introduced his return after two years of retirement, "as a result of I made a decision a month in the past it was occurring."

"So I ready for that the appropriate manner, and it’s what it’s," Shanahan added. "He's a hell of a participant and we'll have our work reduce out for him."

Donald's surprising retirement after the 2023 season prompted cheering within the 49ers' facility.

"I used to be like, 'What the hell's happening?'" Shanahan stated. "After which I bought it on my cellphone and it was most likely probably the most we've celebrated within the offseason ever. . . . After which it was the precise reverse this yr."

Though 49ers left sort out Trent Williams has a superb probability to carry his personal towards new Rams defensive finish Myles Garrett, rookie left guard Carver Willis might be compelled to deal with Donald, within the final "welcome to the NFL" second — as Aaron Donald welcomes himself again to the league he dominated for a decade earlier than deciding he was "full."

Donald is hungry once more. And the primary of 17 programs is the 49ers.

If Donald performs. Shanahan is bracing for it.