Five of our own Seahawks are already on the Physically Unable to Perform list as training camps open across the league, a stark reminder that even before the pads come on, the injury bug is real. While the Rams just made a couple of injury-related moves to kick off their camp on Sunday, declaring offensive lineman Justin Dedich on the non-football injury (NFI) list and cornerback Al’zillion Hamilton on the PUP list, it’s the broader NFC West picture that has us locked in, especially with our guys already sidelined.
Rams Players Already Battling Back
The Rams opened their training camp Saturday, and by Sunday, they were already dealing with injury issues. Key reserve offensive lineman Justin Dedich landed on the NFI list because his injury happened away from team activities or facilities. That’s a rough start for any player, especially a key reserve trying to make an impact. Dedich can be activated at any point during camp, but if he’s still on that list when they cut down to their 53-man roster, he’s automatically missing a minimum of six weeks. That’s a huge chunk of the early regular season gone.
Cornerback Al’zillion Hamilton, a guy who actually got some fan buzz in a 53-man roster prediction exercise, will start camp on the physically unable to perform list. Just like Dedich, Hamilton can come off the PUP list as soon as he passes a physical. But the clock is ticking for him too: if he’s not activated by the 53-man roster deadline, he’ll miss at least the first four games. This isn’t just about missing camp reps, it’s about potentially missing actual games that count, putting pressure on depth right out of the gate for our division rival.
Our Hawks Aren’t Alone, But That Doesn’t Make It Easier
While we’re talking about the Rams’ early camp woes, the reality across the NFC West is that injuries are already a major storyline. There are now 13 NFC West players on the PUP list, and five of them are wearing the Seahawks’ colors. Our guys on that list include Zach Charbonnet, Nick Emmanwori, Kenny McIntosh, Tyrone Broden, and Deven Eastern. That’s a significant number of players, some of whom were expected to contribute, who are now fighting to get healthy before the regular season even kicks off.
It’s not just us and the Rams feeling the pain either. The 49ers have George Kittle, Mykel Williams, Isaac Guerendo, and Alfred Collins on PUP. Down in Arizona, the Cardinals have Josh Sweat, Garrett Williams, and Tip Reiman sidelined. This isn’t just a few isolated incidents; it’s a trend that Mike Macdonald and his staff will be watching closely, just like every other coach in the division. Every rep in camp matters, and these guys are missing crucial development time.
The Early Season Grind Starts Now
The regular season might seem a ways off, but for players on the NFI and PUP lists, the battle for health and a roster spot has already begun. For Dedich and Hamilton, it means scrambling to get back on the field to avoid missing significant time. For our Seahawks like Charbonnet and the others, it’s about passing those physicals and getting back with the team to avoid being set back for the first few weeks. The stakes are already high, even in July. We need our squad healthy and ready to roll when the games truly count. Let’s hope these guys can get cleared quickly and join the grind.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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