Kyle Shanahan: I thought Aaron Donald would play, never been more excited to be wrong

Published September 9, 2026 04:41 AM Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald will not play against the 49ers on Thursday night, which was a pleasant surprise to 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.Shortly after the Rams announced that Donald will not travel to Australia for the game against the 49ers, Shanahan described himself as “very excited,” telling reporters he was fully expecting to have to go against the three-time Defensive Player of the Year.“I told you guys last time I talked to you he was definitely playing,” Shanahan said. “I’ve never been more excited to be wrong about something.”Shanahan is glad the 49ers won’t have to play against Donald until their second game against the Rams, in December.“We’re going to have to see him eventually, we play them twice, but I was hoping he wouldn’t,” Shanahan said. “I was preparing for the worst, and glad we don’t have to see him this week.”