Rams Get Key Offensive Lineman Back Ahead of Preseason Finale

The Rams activated Justin Dedich from the NFI list after he missed training camp with a hand injury, providing a timely boost to their offensive line depth.

Sep 29, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Los Angeles Rams guard Justin Dedich (67) in a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The Los Angeles Rams are getting some much-needed depth to their offensive line. Throughout the entirety of training camp, the Rams have been without their top interior depth piece in Justin Dedich. Dedich passed a physical on Monday and has been activated by the team.

Dedich had missed the entirety of training camp with a non-fireworks related hand injury that he suffered on the Fourth of July. The Rams placed Dedich on the Non-Football Injury list last month and were waiting for his return to the field.

Last week, head coach Sean McVay seemed optimistic that Dedich could be close to returning.

“He is actually able to start doing some different things where he'll put a cast on that will allow him to be able to participate," said McVay. "We're going to see how he feels doing some different things."

While Dedich may need to play with a cast to start the season, it appears that he reacted well to some of the different things that the Rams put him through now that he passed his physical. Dedich won’t be expected to start the season as Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson are healthy, but he has shown himself to be a quality depth option.

Last season, Dedich started six games for the Rams, including the playoff win against the Carolina Panthers in place of Dotson. He also played at left guard in place of Avila early in the season Dedich performed well enough in that stint to make Avila earn his place back.

That ability for Dedich to play on both sides of the offensive line in a pinch is important. Dedich has only played at left and right guard for the Rams, but he has center experience from college.

The Rams have remained healthy on the offensive line for much of the offseason, but have suffered some injuries among their depth players. Keagen Trost is out with a hamstring injury and will be pushing for a return ahead of Week 1.

Trost is a player who provides guard-tackle flexibility. Getting Dedich back will provide a boost to that depth. With Alaric Jackson potentially facing a suspension, the Rams could be relying on their offensive line depth much earlier in the season than they would like.

With uncertainty around Jackson and Trost’s availability, getting Dedich back before the preseason finale so that he can start preparing for Week 1 is ideal. Dedich may only be a depth player, but simply having him available strengthens a depth group that was starting to look thin.

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