Tag: DJ Humphries

Former Chiefs offensive lineman continues to hint at his availability on social media

Former Kansas City #Chiefs offensive lineman Donovan Smith continues to hint at his availability on social media | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs have been hit with numerous injuries on both sides of the ball this season. The latest injury, to recently signed D.J. Humphries, at left tackle, further adds to the bad luck health-wise.

Humphries left Sunday’s Week 14 win over the Los Angeles Chargers early, replaced by former starter Wanya Mortos to finish the game. The veteran’s status wasn’t immediately available, as it was his first game since tearing his ACL a year ago while a member of the Arizona Cardinals.

“I don’t have any injury updates for you. We’re right in the middle of that process, and we’ll just see how things go. I know the tackle’s (D.J. Humphries) one of (those) problems there, so we’ll see how he does.” said head coach Andy Reid during his weekly Zoom call with reporters on Monday. “He’s feeling a little bit better this morning, but we’ll see where it goes from here after he gets an MRI. ”

Following the injury, former Chiefs left tackle Donovan Smith seemingly responded on social media with a GIF reminding the franchise that he won Super Bowl LVIII his availability. Smith made a similar post a month ago when the troubles at left tackle became apparent to the football world.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid provides clarity regarding his options at left tackle: ‘We’ll see how it goes’

Kansas City #Chiefs HC Andy Reid provides clarity regarding his options at left tackle: ‘We’ll see how it goes’ | @EdEastonJr

The ongoing debate regarding when the Kansas City Chiefs should insert veteran D.J. Humphries in the starting lineup has become a hot topic as the team marches toward another postseason. Head coach Andy Reid spoke with reporters on Wednesday, revealing his mindset regarding the decision.

“(Humphries and Thuney) are veteran guys that we have an option to put in there. So, kind of banking on that,” said Reid. “Wanya (Morris) and Kingsley (Suamataia) have taken most of the snaps, and D.J. (Humphries) hasn’t played (in 2024), other than the (eight) years before this,” the Chiefs HC went on, reiterating: “So, we’re banking on that part of it with a couple of those guys, that veteran part of it can step in there and take care of it.”

Thuney notably stepped in at left tackle for Morris to finish last week’s victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Humphries has been practicing with the team and could be an option as early as this Sunday night against the Los Angeles Chargers.

“I think, eventually, you want to get somebody in there that does a good job and really can stay in there and be that guy as we develop the young guys; you’re going to have some hiccups, we know that we knew that going in,” said Reid. “But we’ll see if D.J. (Humphries) can do that. (Either) he can do it; if he can’t, he can’t. So, we’ll see how it goes.”

This Sunday’s game could clinch another AFC West division crown for Kansas City, as many will wait and see who will start at left tackle.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes comments on the left tackle position this season: ‘We got a lot of young guys’

Kansas City #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes comments on the left tackle position this season: ‘We got a lot of young guys’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has stepped up his game recently but continues to deal with weekly pass rush pressure. During Wednesday’s press conference, he addressed the carousel of left tackles this season.

“I don’t know if it’s affected me too much. I mean, I’ve played with all those guys before, and I know those guys are out there battling. They’re out there, and they’ve played winning football before.” said Mahomes. “I just go about my business, go about my process, and try to stay within the scheme of the offense, and then when stuff breaks down, I try to go out there and make plays. I’m gonna continue to do that. ”

Mahomes was sacked ten times over the last two games, with much of the pressure coming from the left tackle. After several practices, he shared his thoughts on recently signed veteran D.J. Humphries.

“You see how talented he is. I mean, the physical gifts are there. It’s been cool to watch him interact with other guys, too.” said Mahomes. “I mean, he’s smart and willing to teach guys, which is big in that room. We got a lot of young guys there, so I’ve been very impressed, and I’m excited for him to get more and more work with more and more practice and hopefully be ready to go as soon as possible.”

Wanya Morris and rookie Kingsley Suantanamia have alternated at the left tackle spot, and it could be coming to an end, with Humphries continuing to impress and ramping up in practice.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid reveals D.J. Humphries’ playing chances heading into Week 14

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid reveals D.J. Humphries’ playing chances heading into Week 14 | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke to the media on Monday for his weekly Zoom press conference. He shared his thoughts on the playing status of recently signed left tackle D.J. Humphries ahead of Week 14.

“We’ll work him in and see how he feels, that’s the main thing. He hadn’t played in a while, so I just want to make sure he’s in a good position,” said Reid. “He did a nice job last week working in there, and we’ll do a little bit more with him this week.”

Humphries was listed as inactive for Week 13 as he watched from the sidelines days after joining the team.

“Listen, the last week was a short week, so we didn’t have a whole lot of time for the fast part of the game, practices, and so this week,” said Reid. “I’ll have a better idea as we go, and he’ll have a better idea of how he feels. Then we can proceed from there and see how it all works out.”

Humphries, a former Pro Bowler with the Arizona Cardinals, is also recovering from a knee injury that left him unsigned for a significant amount of time. Reid and the coaching staff are willing to be patient and ensure he’s ready to start and contribute on the offensive line.

“I don’t think that’s probably fair to D.J. right now, just him coming off this offseason,” said Reid. “I think we just play it by ear as we go, and if he feels OK, then we give him an opportunity. If it’s not where it needs to be, then you don’t, so we’ll just see how it goes.”

Humphries is eager to get on the field but has mentioned his willingness to wait for the coaching staff’s evaluation. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has suffered this season with problems at left tackle, including five sacks in each game the past two weeks.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid on his decision to bench Wanya Morris vs. Raiders: ‘The right thing to do’

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid explained the decision to bench Wanya Morris vs. Las Vegas #Raiders: ‘The right thing to do’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid made a bold change late in the Week 13 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Reid immediately addressed the decision to bench starting left tackle Wanya Morris during his postgame press conference.

“So Wanya (Morris) he was struggling a little bit, so put Joe (Thuney) over there, (Mike) Caliendo in at guard. That was the right thing to do at that time,” Reid explained. “(I) talked to Andy (Heck) about it. He agreed with it, and so we made that move and just solidify things. Pat (Mahomes) took a few hits there, and so we were struggling at times.”

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was sacked five times on Friday and was visibly upset after the last takedown. Morris was removed from the game for Joe Thuney, who moved from his usual guard spot.

“It’s disruptive to any offense if the quarterback is getting hit and not able to get the ball off,” said Reid. “So that can be a problem. Now, listen, he played against a couple of good players, but you got to do better than what we did there. ”

The Chiefs signed veteran D.J. Humphries earlier in the week to play left tackle as the struggles continue with Morris and rookie Kingsley Suantanamia. Humphries is still working his way into form with the team and was inactive for Friday’s game.

D.J. Humphries reflects on joining the Chiefs after injury recovery: ‘I knew I was a tough guy’

D.J. Humphries reflects on joining the Kansas City #Chiefs after injury recovery: ‘I knew I was a tough guy’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs welcomed former Pro Bowler D.J. Humphries to the team earlier in the week to fortify the left tackle position. On Wednesday, he spoke with reporters for the first time since joining the team, reflecting on his recovery from injury and critics projecting his career to be over.

“It’s been interesting, it’s been, how do you say it, you find out stuff about yourself when you go through stuff like that,” said Humphries. “I knew I was a tough guy already, but having to go through those things and getting those, ‘Man, you had such a great career, man what a run,’ like those texts, was really trying for me.”

Humphries spent nine seasons with the Arizona Cardinals before being released after suffering an injury. Since signing with the defending Super Bowl champions, he has lifted spirits and renewed passion for the game.

“I’m in Kansas City, bro. I’m pretty ecstatic,” said Humphries. “You know what I mean? It don’t get much better than this.”

The Chiefs hope Humphries is the final piece of the puzzle heading into the postseason. His experience at left tackle should be an asset, as the position has struggled at times this season with younger players.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid discusses the status of newly signed offensive lineman: ‘He looked healthy’

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid discusses the status of left tackle D.J. Humphries: ‘He looked healthy’ | @EdEastonJr

During his press conference on Wednesday, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressed the recent signing of veteran left tackle D.J. Humphries. He opened up about his status since practicing with the team and being ready to play soon.

“He looked healthy, moving around, felt good; it’s just a matter of him getting back in the swing,” said Reid. “Then also compounded with the offense, making sure he has the terminology down, and he’ll go from there.”

Humphries is a nine-year veteran who lost a year of his career to an ACL injury. He has had a solid reputation throughout his career and focuses on ramping up and playing a significant role in the postseason run.

“We’ll just play it by ear, I told him, ‘Let’s just keep the communication open,’ and we’ll figure it out,” said Reid. “That’s kind of what we’ve done with the other guys that have come in, and we’ll just keep open communication. He seems like a guy that’ll shoot you straight, so that’s what I expect.”

Reid has juggled rookie Kingsley Suamataia and Wanya Morris at left tackle throughout the season with less-than-stellar results. The addition of a veteran tackle should help stabilize the position.

First look: Pro Bowl OL spotted at first practice with Chiefs

#Chiefs fans got their first look at Pro Bowl OL D.J. Humphries during Kansas City’s first practice session of Week 13.

The Kansas City Chiefs recently signed free agent offensive tackle D.J. Humphries this week to shore up the depth of their front five.

Humphries took his first reps with the Chiefs during Kansas City’s practice session on Tuesday ahead of the defending Super Bowl champions’ Week 13 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Though it is unclear if or when Humphries will earn a starting role with the Chiefs, his experience should prove to be a valuable asset for Kansas City’s young linemen, who will be able to hone their craft with the 2021 Pro Bowl selection at their sides.

Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com shared a video of Humphries working out with his new teammates on Tuesday:

While Humphries finds his niche in the Chiefs offense, second-year lineman Wanya Morris is expected to maintain his status as Kansas City’s starting left tackle.

Stay tuned to see if Humphries will be available for the Chiefs’ tilt against the Raiders.

 

Chiefs officially sign Pro Bowl OL ahead of Week 13 matchup vs. Raiders

The Kansas City #Chiefs signed a former Pro Bowl offensive lineman ahead of their Week 13 matchup against the Las Vegas #Raiders.

Hopefully, Patrick Mahomes is about to get a break from taking hits thanks to the news that the Kansas City Chiefs officially signed veteran Pro Bowl offensive tackle D.J. Humphries on Tuesday.

Humphries was a first-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in the 2015 NFL draft and earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2021. He has been off the field this season while recovering from an ACL injury sustained in Week 17 of the Cardinals’ 2023 campaign.

Humphries is now medically cleared to play again, and the Chiefs’ official Twitter account shared the news that he had officially signed with Kansas City this afternoon.

The Chiefs’ offensive line has struggled at the left tackle position through Kansas City’s first 11 games, and the team’s addition of Humphries should bolster the depth of its front five.

Though it is unclear whether Humphries will play in the Chiefs’ Week 13 matchup against Las Vegas on Black Friday, fans can expect to see him in action at some point before the end of the regular season.

REPORT: Chiefs signing Pro Bowl OL D.J. Humphries

The Kansas City #Chiefs are signing Pro Bowl tackle D.J. Humphries to shore up their offensive line.

According to a report from NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, the Kansas City Chiefs are set to sign veteran offensive tackle D.J. Humphries, who played for the Arizona Cardinals from 2015 through 2023.

Humphries, a University of Florida product, was selected by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2021.

Early on Friday morning, it was announced that he was medically cleared to return to football and that his availability had drawn interest from multiple teams.

He ultimately chose to join the reigning Super Bowl champions to help shore up Kansas City’s offensive line ahead of the Chiefs’ final playoff push:

It is unclear whether Humphries will jockey for a starting spot over the next few weeks, but his presence should help stabilize the left tackle position, which is currently manned by Wanya Morris and Kingsley Suamataia.

Stay tuned to see how the Chiefs utilize Humphries when they take on the Carolina Panthers this weekend.