Chiefs will get one more look at critical position in Week 18 before making huge decision for the playoffs
Besides the number of injuries, the most disappointing part of the Kansas City Chiefs' 2024 season has been the play at left tackle. The Chiefs hoped that second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia would take the job by the horns and solidify the position. Despite winning the starting role during training camp, Suamataia struggled mightily in each […]
Besides the number of injuries, the most disappointing part of the Kansas City Chiefs' 2024 season has been the play at left tackle.
The Chiefs hoped that second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia would take the job by the horns and solidify the position. Despite winning the starting role during training camp, Suamataia struggled mightily in each of the first two games of the regular season, resulting in him getting benched for second-year man Wanya Morris.
Morris started the next 10 games at left tackle with mixed results. Battling through a bone bruise in his right knee for the majority of that time played a role in hindering his performance. In Week 13 the Chiefs signed former Arizona Cardinal D.J. Humphries, who received medical clearance to play again following an ACL tear in 2023.
As a nine-year veteran and former Pro Bowler, Kansas City believed Humphries could give the team stability at left tackle. Unfortunately, Humphries injured his hamstring during his first start with the Chiefs against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14, costing him the last three games.
The Chiefs' coaching staff then made the bold decision to kick starting left guard Joe Thuney out to left tackle, giving backup Mike Caliendo the nod at left guard. As a result, the offensive line has played the best it has all season, surrendering just one sack over the past two games.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid had good news on Friday regarding Humphries, stating that after fully participating in practice each day this week, Humphries will likely start against the Denver Broncos in the Week 18 regular season finale.
"There's a good chance, yeah," Reid said on Humphries starting on Sunday. "With that, again, I'm kind of checking every day here as we go, but he looked like he did good today."
Humphries getting back on the field will help him knock some rust off and get in the swing of things. The Broncos have a ferocious defensive front, leading the NFL in sacks with 58. If Humphries looks healthy and plays well against that level of competition, it could persuade the Chiefs to leave him as the starting left tackle job during the postseason.
It will be a tough decision considering how well Thuney and Caliendo have played in recent weeks. Fortunately, the Chiefs have plenty of time to prepare as they have a first-round bye in the playoffs as the AFC's No. 1 seed. Regardless of what decision they make, it's better to have too many good options than not enough.
