The Los Angeles Rams are finally kicking off their 2026 training camp today, Sunday, taking that crucial first step on what they hope is a deep journey towards a potential championship in February. But hold up a second, because before the team even hit the field for their first practice, they dropped some news that’s got to sting: two players are already on injury lists. Guard Justin Dedich is on the non-football injury list, and rookie cornerback Al’zillion Hamilton got placed on the physically unable to perform list. Seriously, the season’s quest for a trophy starts with roster drama? That’s a rough start.
Dedich’s Absence Stings After Last Season’s Heroics
Let’s be real, Justin Dedich isn’t just some camp body. This dude was a legit, major piece for the Rams last season, especially when things got tough on the offensive line. He was their backup interior offensive lineman, which sounds pretty standard until you remember that both Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson missed multiple games. Dedich had to step up, big time, and he didn’t just fill in; he “held the line,” period. His play allowed the Rams to keep pushing forward and maintain their league-leading production. Think about that for a second: a backup coming in cold, keeping the entire offense running at a top-tier level. That’s clutch, right? The guy has experience too, playing in 29 regular-season games over two seasons, starting nine of those contests. He even started one of their three playoff games. Losing that kind of proven depth, that reliable presence who knows how to perform under pressure, right as you’re starting camp? That leaves a real void on the O-line and could definitely throw a wrench into early chemistry building.
Rookie Corner Al’zillion Hamilton’s Uphill Battle Just Got Steeper
Then we’ve got Al’zillion Hamilton, a rookie cornerback who’s already got an uphill climb just to make the roster. He came into the league as an undrafted free agent, so he was already going to need every single rep and every chance to impress the coaches. Now, he’s landed on the physically unable to perform list before getting even one snap in training camp. That’s a massive blow to his chances, man. Hamilton’s got talent, no doubt, coming from Fresno State where he played in 54 contests and even racked up a career-high four interceptions last season. Those college stats are impressive, and you want to see that translate to the pros. But missing out on these absolutely critical early camp reps? That puts him so far behind the curve. For an undrafted guy, trying to prove himself, every single moment on the field matters. This injury list placement just made his already tough road to an NFL roster spot that much harder. It’s a real shame to see a young guy lose those crucial opportunities right when he needs them most.
The one bit of good news, the only sliver of hope, is that both Dedich and Hamilton can be activated from their respective injury lists at any time. So, this isn’t necessarily season-ending news, which is something. But still, for now, the Rams are officially kicking off their 2026 season quest with some pretty significant question marks hanging over their locker room. This is a team with serious championship aspirations, and you absolutely never want to start that kind of high-stakes journey with key players sidelined before the pads are even fully on and the competition truly begins. The focus now shifts to how quickly they can get these guys healthy and back onto the field, because every single day in training camp counts towards making that potential February dream a reality. You just hope this isn’t a sign of things to come, you know?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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