By now you’ve heard that Aaron Donald (probably) won’t be on the field when the Los Angeles Rams take on the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. You won’t get that feeling from Sean McVay – who refuses to rule him out – but it’s the truth.

Wade Phillips is undoubtedly one of the best defensive minds in the game today, but even he can’t draw up a gameplan that will mask the gaping hole left by Donald. The two-time All-Pro is such a transcendent talent to the point where there may not be a player in the NFL who can replace him.

Phillips hasn’t said much about the infamous holdout, but he weighed in on Thursday after practice.

“As far as Aaron Donald, we know what the situation is and I know what the situation is,” Phillips said during his press conference. “I’ve been through it before. It’s disappointing. It’s disappointing that he’s not here for whatever the reasons are, but I’ve been through it before, too. You’ve got to play with the guys you have. We believe that we can play well and that’s what we’re going to try to do. So, wishing and hoping one hand and all that stuff.”

The 70-year-old coach isn’t new to coaching rare talents on defense. Throughout his career, he’s had the chance to work with Hall of Famers – guys like Reggie White, Bruce Smith, Curley Culp. He’s also coached future Hall of Famers in J.J. Watt and Von Miller. Both of those latter two players broke the bank with huge paydays, and Donald is bound to do the same.

As for when Donald returns, it’s anyone’s guess. But when he does, Phillips knows that his job will be easier, and there isn’t much his scheme can do to make him a better player than he already is.

“I think you give them the opportunity to do what they do well,” Phillips said. “I think those kind of players, J.J. Watt, I can go on and on really. They’re talented. They do what they do really well. You’ve got to let them do it and you’ve got to put them in a position to be able to utilize their talent, is all you have to do. That’s not real hard.”

Phillips indirectly compared Donald to Miller and Watt, whom he coached early in their careers. And essentially, it’s a matter of not screwing things up for players of that caliber because they’re so naturally dominant regardless of scheme.

“I think you’d have to mess it up as a coach for those guys not to play well. I said it before, if a great player like that can play in your scheme then you’ve got the wrong scheme,” he said. “So, I don’t worry about those kind of players. Now, I still think you have to coach them. I still think they have to work to be better whoever it is. And those guys that you mentioned did that.”

Tanzel Smart will “replace” Donald on Sunday, so to speak, which is a huge ask – especially for a sixth-round rookie. Phillips said he’s “done a really good job” so far, but still has to get better.