The Chiefs have punched their playoff ticket, and are rolling hot with 11-1. But, we all know, that’s when they don’t want to take any Hail Mary risks messing with their rhythm. I mean, the injury bug’s already been a thorn in their plans quite often than not this season. And on the topic of NOT taking risks, DJ Humphries, the former Arizona Cardinals captain, is the name that comes up. Why? He might suit up for his first game as a Chief this Sunday against the Chargers.

Case in point: Might! Coach Andy Reid’s keeping his cards close on whether Humphries will start. But there’s a good update in the Kingdom. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Humphries is “trending toward making his #Chiefs debut” after a solid week of practice.

That’s the kind of headline Chiefs fans want to see heading into a big divisional matchup. The left tackle spot’s been shaky, with Wanya Morris and rookie Kingsley Suamataia struggling to hold the line. Still, there’s a balancing act here. Humphries is hungry to get on the field, but Reid’s taking the cautious route.

The Chiefs need to weigh his readiness against the team’s performance goals—because, let’s face it, no one wants to gamble with a playoff run this close. And Coach Reid knows it. “Let’s see how he ends up,” KC’s HC said.

To be honest, it’s good that the Chiefs are playing it smart—Humphries is coming off an ACL injury, so it’s all about his comfort with the playbook, the scheme, and, most importantly, that knee. We know, when the postseason’s here: the veteran tackle could be really well.

DJ Humphries Might Just Be the Answer to KC’s Offensive Woes

The Chiefs’ left tackle situation this season has been, beyond shaky. Rookie Suamataia had his shot but stumbled out of the gate, and Wanya Morris? We shouldn’t be going after him. But the results haven’t exactly been All-Pro material. Enter DJ Humphries, a nine-year veteran and former Pro Bowler. He’s fresh from Arizona, bringing experience, leadership…and hopefully, some much-needed stability to Patrick Mahomes’ blindside.

Matt Nagy is already a fan of Humphries’ energy, calling it “contagious” and “infectious.” That kind kicks the roster’s morale instantly. Most importantly, it can light up an O-line that’s been running on fumes in that particular position. It’s hard to nitpick ‘loopholes’ in this KC side when they seemed to have cracked the code. But at this point, they want whatever they can get if they want to complete the ‘3-peat’.

So, what’s the ceiling for Humphries in Kansas City? If he can replicate last season’s performance—just a 4.9% pressure rate—he’s a massive upgrade over what the Chiefs have been dealing with. More time for Mahomes means more big plays, and with weapons like Xavier Worthy and (hopefully) a returning Hollywood Brown, the offense could hit another gear.