At the start of another week of preparation, there are a few important variables in play for the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive line. Consequently, it's impossible for head coach Andy Reid to be able to say with any certainty who will be starting at left tackle in Week 14.
The Chiefs have an important game coming up on Sunday Night Football against the Los Angeles Chargers. While there is some distance between them, the rivals are 1-2 in the AFC West's pecking order, and a loss for K.C. could trigger some end-of-season drama and undo the tough work they've done to arrive at the stretch run with an 11-1 record.
The Chiefs aren't quite sure who will be taking the reps at left tackle in Week 14.
The opening at left tackle remains the team's biggest roster concern by a country mile heading into this pivotal stretch of the schedule for a number of reasons. The primary one, however, is that it makes life difficult for Patrick Mahomes and any way a team can affect the game's best player is going to make a major difference in the final score.
Andy Reid spoke to reporters on Monday and updated everyone on the situation, which was basically to say that he himself still wasn't sure how things were going to end up.
"We've got young guys that were working in there, and so, you know, the growth, they're going against good players, and the good ones have gotten probably the better of us. But it's things that these guys will learn from and they can bank for the future and get themselves better, and I think they'll help us down the road," said Reid about the young players' struggles in the role.
As for the potential suitors for the role, they are all potentially available or not for myriad reasons. Wanya Morris has held down the job for several games, but his play on Sunday led to being benched and it's clear he's trying his best to hold things down while also dealing with a bone bruise that flares up and makes things painful.
D.J. Humphries is the new arrival, and as a starting left tackle since 2016 in the NFL (specifically with the Arizona Cardinals), he's the favorite to take over the job long-term. The question with him is about readiness for such a role after arriving in Kansas City one week prior. The Chiefs want Humphries to be prime when it matters most and the team has to ask honest questions about pressing him into duty.
About Humphries, Reid said, "We'll work him in and see what he can see how he feels. You know, that's the main thing is that he hadn't played in a while so I just want to make sure he's he's in good position. He did a nice job last week working in there, and we'll do a little bit more with him this week."
Joe Thuney slid over from left tackle and took over for Morris when the Chiefs needed a change against the Raiders in Week 13. However, it's a detriment to the franchise to take Thuney away from the position at which he's proven to be one of the NFL's finest just to cover the sins next to him. "That's another that's another one of the options that we've got so we finished the game that way and I'd rather have Joe playing in a guard because he's very good there," said Reid.
Kingsley Suamataia is available on the roster, but the Chiefs have essentially redshirted him for the year after going with every other option on the table in weeks past. Ethan Driskell is a rookie free agent and should not be viewed with any degree of seriousness at this stage of his career either.
