Aaron Donald does not yet have a new contract, but the defensive tackle is no longer staying away from the Los Angeles Rams' facility.
NFL Network's Steve Wyche reported Tuesday that Donald reported for mandatory minicamp, according to a team spokesman.
Donald has stayed away from voluntary offseason workouts before this week.
NFL Network's Omar Ruiz, who is in attendance at Rams practice, reported Donald is doing individual work off to the side.
Donald is set to earn just $1.8 million in 2017 under his rookie contract. The Rams exercised the fifth-year team option to keep him in L.A. in 2018. Both sides hope a deal is done well before then, and it might very well depend on what happens next to Trumaine Johnson.
"If they're able to do a new deal for [Johnson], they can cut that salary-cap hit maybe in half, maybe more, free up some space, and allow them to do a deal for Aaron Donald," NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport said on Tuesday during Inside Minicamp Live. "Aaron Donald and the Rams have been trying to work out a new deal. There's no indication -- despite the fact he showed up -- that the two sides are anywhere close [in agreement]. It's a long process."
General manager Les Snead has consistently said this offseason that Donald deserves a hefty raise. Snead said in May contract talks are in a "serious" stage.
Those serious talks haven't led to a mega-deal that should make the All-Pro one of the highest paid defensive players in the NFL.
By reporting to minicamp, Donald avoids being fined (up to $80,405 for missing all three days under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement) and shows good faith on his end of the negotiations.
