The Los Angeles Rams are already down two players in training camp as guard Justin Dedich was placed on the non-football injury list and cornerback Al’Zillion Hamilton went on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
When speaking to reporters earlier this week, head coach Sean McVay revealed that Dedich suffered a hand injury around the Fourth of July.
That immediately led to speculation it could’ve been fireworks-related, but McVay clarified that isn’t the case, via Vincent Bonsignore of the California Post:
The collective pulse of Rams fans quickened the moment news broke that Justin Dedich was sidelined with a hand injury suffered on or around the Fourth of July.
Even with Rams coach Sean McVay clarifying that it stemmed from “a hand accident around the Fourth of July,” the association alone was enough to trigger uneasy flashbacks. Around the NFL, that date and that type of injury will forever be linked to one of the league’s most infamous cautionary tales.
Jason Pierre-Paul famously hurt his hand in a fireworks accident that caused him to lose multiple fingers, so there is always some concern when injuries occur around the Fourth of July.
However, Dedich is dealing with a broken hand that isn’t expected to cause him any long-term damage:
According to sources with knowledge of the situation, Dedich suffered a broken hand in early July, but there is no expectation of any long-term damage. It’s an injury, not a turning point.
Dedich has been a valuable depth piece for the Rams in recent years, so it’s good to hear that he is dealing with a much less serious injury.
Rookie Keagen Trost is expected to receive more training camp reps in his absence, while recent free-agent signing Blake Hance could get some looks as well.
Rams sign two players to training camp roster
The Rams signed safety Alex Cook and offensive lineman Bill Murray on Monday, bringing their training camp roster to 85 players.
Cook began his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He went on to spend parts of two seasons there before having brief stints with the New York Giants and Chicago Bears. Cook most recently played with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League in 2025.
Murray signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of William & Mary in 2020, ultimately playing four seasons there. He also saw time with the Bears from 2023-24 before spending the past season on the Patriots’ and Indianapolis Colts’ practice squads.
