Rams Signing of One-Time Pro Bowl Selection Raises Questions About Key Offensive Tackle
Far after the bulk of the offseason and at the start of training camp, the Los Angeles Rams have signed offensive tackle DJ Humphries. The nine-year NFL veteran spent most of his career with the Arizona Cardinals before signing with the Kansas City Chiefs last offseason. The 31-year-old has played 100 games in his NFL career and will continue to rack up the numbers. The lineman didn’t make his season debut until Week 14 of 2024 and was shut down for the year just two games later. Humphries battled recovery from an ACL tear in 2023 and suffered a hamstring injury in Week 16 of 2024.
Through a long recovery process, Humphries looks to be fully healthy heading into training camp and has found a new home in a division he knows very well. On Thursday, June 12th, Humphries signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams. Primarily playing left tackle, the former Pro Bowler will join an inconsistent Rams offensive line that needed reinforcements to contend for the Super Bowl this season.
The signing is especially curious considering the Rams' current left tackle, Alaric Jackson. Jackson has served as the Rams' starter at left tackle for the past two seasons and performed valiantly. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked as the 18th overall tackle. However, Jackson missed a large chunk of the 2022 season due to blood clots, and it appears those concerns may be popping back up.
It is an unfortunate revelation for the Rams as they have needed all the offensive line help they can get. We can only hope that Jackson is okay. Football aside, blood clots are a very serious issue. They are potentially life-threatening and, in this case, career-threatening.
While Humphries is currently in the depth chart as Jackson’s backup, if these concerns are real, we may see him on the field sooner rather than later. Rest assured, Rams fans, Humphries is a solid starter and a much better option than anyone else in the tackle room. This is an excellent move that can pay its dividends should Jackson miss any time next season. Even if the move is just insurance, the contract likely isn’t anything to worry about.
