The Rams opened training camp with one more problem on a line that already looked fragile.
On Sunday, Los Angeles placed guard Justin Dedich on the Non-Football Injured Reserve list, while undrafted rookie cornerback Al'Zillion Hamilton was moved to the PUP list. Dedich can return at any point before the 53-man roster deadline, but the move still adds another layer of uncertainty to the offensive line.
The biggest issue remains at tackle, where the Rams are waiting to see whether left tackle Alaric Jackson will be suspended, and for how long. That situation leaves the team with very little margin for error. Rookie Keagen Trost could be asked to step into a starting job if Jackson is unavailable, while Warren McClendon may have to shift from right tackle to the left side, where he has been less effective, to make room for Trost on the right.
Dedich’s status matters just as much on the interior. He has been the Rams’ top backup inside, and if this injury lingers into the season, it would hit a depth chart that was already thin. Dedich played in 16 games last year and started six, giving the Rams steady insurance when Kevin Dotson and Steve Avila missed time.
Behind him, the options are limited. Beaux Limmer started at center as a rookie but saw little action last season after veteran Coleman Shelton returned in free agency. After that, the depth chart drops to Dylan McMahon, who spent all of 2025 on the practice squad.
If Dedich is not activated by the roster cutdown deadline, he would have to miss at least the first six weeks of the season. For a team already trying to sort out its tackle situation, that’s a hit it can hardly afford.
A third-year former undrafted free agent, Dedich logged nearly 500 snaps last season and was especially effective as a run blocker. He finished with a 62.1 overall PFF grade, which ranked 41st out of 81 qualified guards, and gave the Rams a reliable backup with enough versatility to matter.
The designation does not mean the injury will linger, and Los Angeles will be hoping it is something Dedich can shake off during camp or the preseason. But for a team already short on offensive line answers, even a temporary setback is a problem.
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Rams Defense Sent A Chilling First Message At Camp
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McDuffies view of Garrett only added to the buzz around the front seven, and the rest of the secondary had its own moments as Watson helped break up a deep ball intended for Davante Adams before the play ended with Kam Kinchens finishing it off. Matthew Stafford was held out on a scheduled rest day, which opened the door for Bennett to work with the first unit and for the team to keep evaluating the skill positions, where Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield are among the names fighting for the WR3 job behind Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. [Read more 🡒]