Aaron Donald unlikely to be disciplined after helmet swinging incident?

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Jonah Williams (92) attempts to hold back defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) as a third scuffle escalates into a brawl during a joint preseason camp practice between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Thursday. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Rams Aaron Donald unlikely to be disciplined by NFL after helmet swinging incident?

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 8/25/22

On Thursday, a joint practice between Super Bowl LVI foes, the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals ended prematurely after multiple fights erupted.

Several skirmishes ended with Bengals offensive lineman La'el Collins ripping the helmet off Rams defensive lineman Leonard Floyd. Rams All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald responded by slinging several helmets at Bengals players.

After footage of the incident was released, many had opinions about what should happen to Donald. Though, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, there may be no punishment handed down to Donald from the league.

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

According to Pelissero, the NFL is not responsible for overseeing players' conduct during practices, including joint sessions. That leaves the onus on the Rams to hand down punishment, if any, for their eight-time Pro Bowl lineman.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk confirmed Pelissero's report, adding that it's unlikely the Rams discipline Donald because "excuses are made for stars."

"If it were a lesser player, the Rams likely would do something," Florio wrote. "If it were a player on the roster bubble, he'd likely be cut."

We'll have to wait and see if this incident changes anything regarding the NFL's involvement in joint practices moving forward. But for now, the Rams are on the clock, and a precedent has been set.

In 2019, the NFL suspended Myles Garrett indefinitely for a similar violation involving Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph. Garret missed the remainder of the season before being reinstated during the off-season.

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