Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix knows Aaron Donald can take over a game, and he has a simple goal for dealing with the Rams star Sunday night.
The Denver Broncos will get their first look at Aaron Donald in more than four years on Sunday night.
Quarterback Bo Nix knows exactly what kind of challenge awaits.
Donald returned from a two-year retirement last month and made his 2026 debut in the Los Angeles Rams' 28-6 victory over the New York Giants on Monday night.
Now Nix and the Broncos will have to find a way to keep one of the NFL's most dominant defensive players from taking over their prime-time matchup.
"He's literally one of the best at his position all-time," Nix said Wednesday, according to Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette. "You don't play those many Sundays."
Donald retired following the 2023 season before announcing his return to the Rams in August.
He sat out Los Angeles' season opener before playing 32 defensive snaps against New York on Monday. Donald finished with three tackles and a tackle for loss in his first NFL game since January 2024.
Nix doesn't expect the long layoff to slow Donald down.
"If anything, he could be better, because he got some good rest," Nix said.
The Broncos quarterback said Donald will likely play more as he works his way back into game shape, but Denver can't afford to wait for rust to show.
"Honestly, don't expect anything different," Nix said. "We just gotta limit the time he's dominant."
Nix isn't the only member of Denver's offense preparing for Donald to make an impact.
Broncos offensive coordinator Davis Webb called Donald a "game-changer" while discussing the challenge of facing the Rams this week.
Donald returned to a Los Angeles defense that already has shown it can give opposing quarterbacks problems. The Rams posted a 66.7% pass-rush win rate against the Giants on Monday, their highest in a game since Week 11 of the 2022 season.
That presents another test for a Broncos team looking to continue its recent success against NFC opponents.
Denver has won nine consecutive games against NFC opponents since Nix became its starting quarterback in 2024.
The Broncos have already faced their share of challenges during a 1-1 start, and the Rams represent another difficult early-season opponent.
But Nix isn't shying away from the opportunity to face Donald.
"It's exciting to play the greats. It always is," Nix said. "I know he's a really good football player, and he's gonna provide a challenge that we haven't necessarily faced before."
The Broncos and Rams kick off at 8:20 PM ET Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High.
