Patrick Mahomes has a new blindside protector -- again.
For the third time this season, the Chiefs will feature a different starting left tackle, as sources say D.J. Humphries, the former Pro Bowler who signed with Kansas City two weeks ago, is expected to start at left tackle against the Chargers on Sunday.
The 30-year-old is said to be looking good in practice, moving around well and spent the last two weeks picking up the system. He’ll start over Wanya Morris, the second-year player who has started 10 games this season. Morris previously had taken over for Kingsley Suamataia, the rookie second-rounder.
A former stalwart for the Cardinals, Humphries has fully recovered from a torn ACL he suffered late last season. He was released by Arizona in March and took a visit to the Giants during the season. He then signed with the Chiefs on a one-year contract worth $5 million, which was prorated to $2 million. He has a chance to earn up to $4.5 million including incentives.
Mahomes has already been sacked a career-high 32 times this season through 12 games. Star guard Joe Thuney filled in at left tackle for the last couple of drives in the team's Black Friday win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was asked about his plan at left tackle this week and expressed his desires to have someone play there and stay there.
“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,” Reid said on Wednesday. “You’re going to have some hiccups, we know that, we knew that going in. But we’ll see if D.J. can do that. (Either) he can do it. If he can’t, he can’t. So, we’ll see how it goes.”
Humphries is one of several starters Kansas City has acquired this season, as general manager Brett Veach and his staff continue to work.
Among the players filling key roles either signed or brought in via trade: DeAndre Hopkins, Josh Uche and Kareem Hunt. Humphries will be added to that list.