Aaron Donald not at Rams' mandatory minicamp over contract

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Defensive lineman Aaron Donald was not on the practice field Tuesday as the Los Angeles Rams opened mandatory minicamp at their training facility.

Donald's absence is not surprising after the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year did not attend any portion of the voluntary offseason program.

Donald and the Rams remain in a contract dispute that dates to 2017.

Coach Sean McVay said after the workout that he anticipated Donald's absence after a recent conversation with him.

Donald is scheduled to earn about $6.9 million in the final season of his five-year rookie contract and is seeking to become the highest-paid defensive player, if not among the highest paid…