INJURY UPDATE: Chiefs tackle set for MRI folllowing first game back

Just when the Kansas City Chiefs were hoping they might have found a permanent fix for their left tackle concerns—at least for the rest of this season—D.J. Humphries came up injured. Now they’re hoping not to add another name to the long, long list of players who have hit the injured reserve list in 2024.

The Chiefs signed Humphries in late November after the veteran left tackle had been cleared to return to the field by his doctors. Humphries, who has spent his entire NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals, had suffered a torn ACL with Arizona late last season. The team moved on from him for the first time since 2016 which made him a free agent, but he wasn’t free to sign with a team until he would be able to pass his physical.

Humphries made his debut for the Chiefs on Sunday and was set for his first MRI on Monday.

For Humphries, the chance to join the Chiefs gave him his first chance at Super Bowl glory after nearly a decade at the highest level. For the Chiefs, however, Humphries gave them a sorely needed answer at a key position as they try to keep Patrick Mahomes upright going forward.

So far this year, the Chiefs have started second-round rookie Kingsley Suamataia only to bench him for a redshirt season while second-year man Wanya Morris took over. However, Morris suffered a bone bruise in recent weeks and hasn’t been himself in the last couple of games where even lesser opponents took full advantage and made life miserable for Mahomes in the pocket.

The Chiefs tried to give Humphries a week to acclimate but ultimately moved him into the starting lineup on Sunday in a close win over the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chiefs got the victory but Humphries left late in the game with a hamstring concern and was questionable to return.

Andy Reid told reporters on Monday that the team would await the results of an MRI before knowing anything about his condition going forward. Given the demands of the position and the frustrations of the performances there so far in 2024, all eyes are on Humphries with the hopes that he receives good news going forward.

Even if Humphries needs more time to get into game shape, he’s still the best bet for the team to protect Mahomes for the duration of the season. Any time lost is going to create more havoc at a vital point in the calendar for the Chiefs. Here’s hoping Humphries proves to be okay