Will Chiefs LT D.J. Humphries play in Week 18 vs. Broncos? Chiefs offensive line coach disputes popular fan theory
The Kansas City Chiefs are getting healthier, and with the playoffs now on the horizon, that includes the return of D.J. Humphries, who practiced in full for the first time since Week 14 on Wednesday. Humphries was projected to be the starting left tackle in Kansas City when he was signed as a free agent just […]
The Kansas City Chiefs are getting healthier, and with the playoffs now on the horizon, that includes the return of D.J. Humphries, who practiced in full for the first time since Week 14 on Wednesday. Humphries was projected to be the starting left tackle in Kansas City when he was signed as a free agent just weeks ago, but the injury derailed those plans.
Will Humphries suit up and play in Sunday's Week 18 game against the Denver Broncos? The game is meaningless in terms of the standings, so many starters will be given time off to rest and recover. Chiefs HC Andy Reid spoke to the media on Wednesday about the possibility of Humphries playing.
“Yeah, there’s a chance," Reid said. "He’s (D.J. Humphries) feeling (better) – I just want to see how he does here in practice. Give me one more go around with him here and see how he’s holding up. He says he feels good, and we’ll just see how the practices go.”
Chiefs OL coach Andy Heck gave an honest assessment of Humphries's recovery so far.
"Well, he's been working hard at it, and I know he's been making some progress here, so we're continuing to monitor that," Heck said. "But I think he's feeling as good as you could expect to feel."
Humphries started the team's Week 14 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, playing the majority of the snaps before exiting late in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury. That injury knocked him out for the toughest stretch of the Chiefs' season, forcing Joe Thuney into action at left tackle over the past three games.
By all accounts, Thuney has superseded expectations at the left tackle position while facing a gauntlet of the NFL's best pass-rushers. It raises the question: Do you move Thuney back to left guard when Humphries is healthy enough to play?
Reid indicated on Monday that he'd be playing things by ear when it comes to moving Thuney back to left guard and playing Humphries at left tackle. One of the more popular fan theories has been that Humphries could play a full game for the team in Week 18 against the Broncos to create some confidence and momentum heading into the playoffs.
Heck disputed the idea that the team needs to see him play a full game before the postseason arrives.
"Well, first off, I'd say D.J. (Humphries), being a veteran guy, he's played a lot of football," Heck said. "And so, 'need to see him.' I don't know if I'd go there, but we want to get all of our guys ready and healthy."
It certainly seems that there is a preference for keeping Humphries healthy. His readiness to play in a game, whether the regular-season finale or the divisional round of the postseason, will be decided by that. If he does play some snaps in Week 18, certainly don't expect it to be the full game, given all the depth the team currently has on the offensive line.
Latest comments from Chiefs HC Andy Reid suggest at least two starters will play in Week 18 vs. Broncos
Expect at least two Kansas City Chiefs starters to see some action in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos.
