The biggest news in the sports world on Sunday was the return of future Hall of Fame defensive end Aaron Donald to the Los Angeles Rams. Donald had retired over the offseason, but when the Rams traded with the Cleveland Browns for Myles Garrett, rumors began that the Rams would try to field the deadliest defensive end tandem in the NFL.
- Donald spent most of the last few months not exactly shooting down the rumors that he might come back. It seemed like a no-brainer that he might just sit out the preseason and wait until the eve of the regular season to come back.
- "Obviously, seeing what was being done with this team, pieces that were getting brought here. It's like, 'OK, that's a complete team,'" Donald said Sunday evening. "And then you see other moves they make, and it's like, 'OK, I wish I was still out there playing right about now.'"
USC keeps stepping on rakes after dodging the Notre Dame fighting Irish
- During Saturday's Week 0 game against San Jose State (that only existed because USC backed out of the series with Notre Dame), more than a few people noticed that the Trojans' Coliseum was quite empty. When photos started circulating on social media, fans made a ton of different excuses that all boiled down to "it was hot" and "we never go to games."
- On Sunday night, USC issued a statement that seemingly admitted the fanbase is pretty lame and soft: “We understand the factors that impacted Saturday’s attendance. We have high expectations and a premier home schedule this season, and we know the competitive advantage an electric Coliseum can provide our program. We thank our fans who showed up Saturday and look forward to increased attendance the rest of the season.”
- Elsewhere, where Notre Dame is blissfully ignoring USC, the Irish are still trying to figure out who will start at cornerback opposite Leonard Moore. There is a better-than-average chance that, between Jayden Sanders and DJ McKinney, defensive coordinator Chris Ash might not name a starter and instead work to get both of them on the field.
- Off the field back in the spring of 2025, Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman quietly went and sat by the hospital bed of former walk-on holder Chris Salerno. The former Irish player, whose last game was the CFP finals in 2024, suffered from congenital hydrocephalus. The issue was something Salerno had for most of his life, but it suddenly caused enough problems that he was put into a medically induced coma for nearly three days.
- Speaking to the Irish Star, Salerno explained that Freeman came and spent time with his family, even while the former player was unconscious: "While in the hospital, Coach Free got word and came to visit me even while I was fully sedated. He sat with my parents and offered any support he could provide."
- Salerno's story summed up how thoughtful and caring the Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach is toward his extended family in South Bend. Even when those family members move on from Notre Dame and leave South Bend.
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