The Washington Commanders released tackle D.J. Humphries on Friday, opening the door for him to return to the Los Angeles Rams as insurance for A.J. Jackson if that’s something both parties are interested in. Humphries appeared in eight games with the Rams in 2025, including one start in place of Jackson. It is also possible that the Commanders are simply releasing Humphries for roster considerations with the expectation to re-sign him in Week 2, but in any case the Rams do have the opportunity to sign the veteran tackle if they want.
Josh Buckhalter of Heavy suggested the Rams should reach out to Humphries in case Jackson is suspended or loses time due to injury again:
Humphries also has one start in four postseason appearances and has a pre-existing relationship with Rams assistant head coach Kliff Kingsbury.
“The offense is kind of–it’s kind of the offense that I ran earlier with Kliff and, I guess, a lot of that same stuff,” Humphries told reporters in August, underscoring how much of an impact the first-year Rams coach had on him (and the Commanders).
“It’s easier for me to kind of mesh in. ”
Humphries was the 24th overall pick in the 2015 draft by the Arizona Cardinals. He started 98 games with the Cardinals over eight seasons and has since signed with the Chiefs, Rams, and Commanders. He has been firmly entrenched as a backup over the past two years.
Jackson has not been suspended by the NFL yet and may not be suspended at all. However, L.A. only has one backup left tackle right now and it’s 36-year-old journeyman David Quessenberry. With Humphries now a free agent again, perhaps Les Snead would feel more comfortable with him coming back to the Rams.