Chiefs Give 1st Update on Plan for Recent Signing's Debut

The left tackle position has been one of the Kansas City Chiefs' weak areas throughout the 2024 NFL season. With Wanya Morris and Kingsley Suamataia failing to provide quarterback Patrick Mahomes with adequate protection, the Chiefs had no choice but to sign veteran LT D.J. Humphries to a one-year contract last week.

Humphries, who tore his ACL last season, wasn't cleared in time to play during Sunday's 30-27 win over the Carolina Panthers. With Friday's showdown with the rival Las Vegas Raiders quickly approaching, Chiefs fans are wondering if the veteran blocker will be healthy enough to suit up this time around.

On Tuesday, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy shared an update on Humphries' outlook.

Chiefs News: DJ Humphries 'Day-to-Day' Before Week 13 vs. Raiders

Nagy — who played with Humphries' dad 20 years ago in the Arena Football League — told A to Z Sports' Charles Goldman that it's still too early to tell if the Chiefs' newest blocker will play on Black Friday.

"I don't know about that," Nagy said about Humphries' shot at facing the Raiders. "There's so much to that with a player coming off injury and coming to a new team."

As much as the Chiefs would love to have Humphries on the offensive line this week, a Friday matchup might be too quick of a turnaround to get him into the lineup.

The good news is that Humphries did appear during practice, albeit without full equipment, donning No. 70 on his jersey due to his previous number (74) being occupied by fellow tackle Jawaan Taylor.

Whenever the former Florida product does show up, Nagy and the rest of Kansas City's coaching staff will be excited to see what he can bring to the table. The 30-year-old blocker is a former Pro Blow tackle who started in all 98 appearances throughout his eight-year run with the Arizona Cardinals.

NFL fans last saw Humphries when he suited up in 15 games for the Cardinals last season. Although he couldn't muster a Pro Bowl-level performance, the 6-foot-5 LT still held his own while allowing 28 pressures across 568 passing downs. Pro Football Focus awarded him grades of 62.5 for overall offense and 68.4 as a pass blocker once his ACL tear prematurely ended his campaign.

Even though he's yet to test his knee in an in-game situation, it isn't hard to imagine how Humphries could be an immediate upgrade over Morris and Suamataia. The underperforming duo has displayed more holes than Swiss cheese and replacing them with a reliable presence — like Humphries — could be the difference in the Chiefs' pursuit of a third straight Super Bowl victory.

Despite any LT issues, Andy Reid & Co.'s championship outlook is promising ahead of Friday's meeting with the Raiders. As the Week 13 action is set to begin, the Chiefs currently hold the second-best odds to win Super Bowl LIX (+500) on FanDuel Sportsbook.

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