D.J. Humphries available as Rams left tackle insurance
D.J. Humphries is suddenly available after his release by the Washington Commanders, creating a near-term option at left tackle for the Los Angeles Rams. With A.J. Jackson entrenched as the starter and internal depth thin, a veteran swing option changes the Rams’ immediate planning.
Local reporting first flagged the move and detailed Humphries’ 2025 stint with the Rams and the club’s backup situation; the report is available from Turf Show Times. That single reporting thread frames the short-term options the front office must weigh this week.
Key Takeaways
- The Washington Commanders released D.J. Humphries, making him an available veteran free agent on the market right now.
- Humphries appeared in eight games with the Rams in 2025, including one start in place of A.J. Jackson during that span.
- Humphries has one start in four postseason appearances and he previously started 98 games with the Arizona Cardinals earlier in his career.
- Los Angeles currently lists David Quessenberry as the only backup left tackle, leaving short-term depth thin behind Jackson.
Humphries fit with Rams and Kingsbury ties
Humphries was the 24th overall pick in 2015 and started 98 games with the Arizona Cardinals over eight seasons, per the reporting. He later signed with the Chiefs, joined the Rams, and then had a stint with the Commanders before his recent release. His prior experience with the Rams and familiarity with Kliff Kingsbury’s approach shorten the acclimation curve compared with a fully unproven addition.
Contract mechanics and roster maneuvering context
The vested-veteran rule matters: players with four or more accrued seasons have contracts that become guaranteed if they are on the Week 1 roster, and that changes the cost-benefit of a veteran signing before the opener. The reporting references commentary from Ben Standig on those roster mechanics and mentions a suggestion from Josh Buckhalter that the Rams could reach out if Jackson misses time. Front offices often weigh practice-squad elevations against guaranteed roster spots when evaluating a veteran option for short-term depth.
Left tackle depth and experience comparison
| Player | Rams role | Context and experience |
|---|---|---|
| A.J. Jackson | Starting left tackle | Listed as the Rams’ starter on the depth chart and viewed as the primary blocker at left tackle |
| D.J. Humphries | Potential veteran insurance | 24th overall pick in 2015; started 98 games with the Cardinals; appeared in eight games with the Rams in 2025, including one start |
| David Quessenberry | Primary backup left tackle | Currently listed as the Rams’ lone backup at left tackle and described in reporting as a seasoned journeyman option |
How pro tackle availability informs SEC roster construction
SEC staff and recruiters monitor pro roster churn to understand how programs should prioritize tackle depth and experience when preparing players for the next level. The timing of veteran signings, and the trade-offs tied to guarantees, offers a tangible example that college programs can use when advising prospects and constructing depth charts.
