Aaron Donald's Rams workout 'a huge deal' amid comeback rumours

Aaron Donald has been "flirting with the idea" of coming back to football since the moment the Los Angeles Rams landed Myles Garrett, and the noise around it hasn't let up since.

Michael Brockers told the Rams Squad Show that Donald had been "staying ready, so he doesn't have to get ready."

Pat McAfee said he texted Donald directly about his possible return and received a reply saying, "It for sure got me thinking."

Then head coach Sean McVay weighed in at Garrett's introductory press conference, saying, "I bet you he can still do it at a pretty high clip."

The latest voice to weigh in is Donte Whitner, the three-time Pro Bowl safety who spent 11 seasons with the Bills, 49ers, Browns and Commanders.

On Good Morning Football, he offered his thoughts on a TMZ report that Donald had worked out at the Rams' practice facility last Friday.

What his return would mean in the building

Between his rookie season in 2014 and his final year, Donald amassed 111 sacks, made 10 Pro Bowls, took home three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and won a Super Bowl.

So the TMZ video has really stirred the pot, with the potential for him to join forces with Garrett, Byron Young, Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner to create what would surely be a truly dominant defensive line.

Whitner didn't mince words about the impact of Donald's potential return.

"It's a huge deal," Whitner said. "Think about this. The greatest defender of this generation walks into the building.

"You know what instantly happens? Everybody's standard rises. The front office members, the coaching staff, and especially the players.

"Even if Aaron Donald isn't playing every week, I've heard that he's probably going to be playing eight games minimum, his presence still matters.

"The young players can watch how he studies, prepares, communicates, goes about his business. The veterans are reminded what championship-level work looks like.

"And you know, the coach, he can talk about greatness all he wants. But when Aaron Donald walks into that building, that's greatness in the flesh.

"So I think it elevates everyone around you, and it does give you extreme Super Bowl expectancy."

It's worth remembering that Donald has practised at the Rams' facility on and off since he retired, so another workout proves nothing.

But that point won't stop the rumour mill from spinning overtime, and if the three-time Defensive Player of the Year does make a return, the Rams, already occupying the top spot in our latest power rankings following the acquisition of Garrett, would take some serious stopping.