Aaron Donald was at the center of a massive brawl between the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals during Thursday’s joint practice, and he seems to have stepped over the line during all the chaos. A video from practice showed Donald wielding two Bengals helmets, swinging one of them at players in the scrum multiple times.
You can even hear the helmet connect with another player’s helmet, a scary incident on the practice field. Immediately, it was compared to Myles Garrett hitting Mason Rudolph over the head with his helmet in 2020, which Garrett was suspended six games for; it was called an indefinite suspension, but Garrett was reinstated before last season.
With those comparisons being made, several fans are calling for Donald to be suspended for his actions.
Deleted video of Aaron Donald swinging a helmet at bengals players. pic.twitter.com/dHCAGN8Bby
— Not Jake 🥷🏻 (@CincyHub) August 25, 2022
In reality, swinging a helmet at another player is certainly grounds for a suspension. It’s a dangerous play whether it occurs during a game or on a practice field.
However, there’s a difference between Garrett’s incident and Donald’s. Because Donald’s occurred in practice and not during a game, the NFL is not responsible for disciplining players, even if it happens in a joint practice with another team.
That’s according to Tom Pelissero, who suggests a suspension for Donald is unlikely.
Clubs — not the NFL — are responsible for overseeing conduct of players at practice, including joint practices. So fair to say league discipline for Aaron Donald (or anyone else) in today's brouhaha is unlikely. https://t.co/VfmDycxBKh
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 25, 2022
The Rams probably aren’t going to suspend their best player, especially with the Bills on deck in Week 1. They could fine him and punish him that way, but it’s hard to imagine the team suspending Donald for his actions – even as bad as they were.
Donald has a history of losing his cool on the field, and the Rams are lucky this occurred in practice and not in a game. Had it happened on game day, he likely would’ve gotten the same treatment as Garrett.
