The Cowboys are once again staring at an offensive line problem, and a familiar type of name just surfaced in free agency: a former first-round tackle who could make sense if Dallas wants more insurance on the left side.
That player is D.J. Humphries, who was released by the Washington Commanders on Friday. With the Cowboys dealing with depth concerns up front, it’s the kind of move that naturally puts Humphries on their radar.
Humphries entered the league as the 24th overall pick in 2015 by Arizona and spent his entire Cardinals run there through 2023. He became a full-time starter in 2016, shifted from right tackle to left tackle in 2017, and stayed there for the rest of his time in Arizona, though injuries did interrupt him at times.
His career has taken a winding path since then. After an ACL injury in late December of 2024, Humphries was released the following March.
Once he recovered, he signed with the Chiefs and appeared in a couple of games to finish 2024 as a backup. Last year, he played in reserve for the Rams in eight games.
He remained a free agent through this offseason until late August, when Washington signed him just a few days before final cuts. Then, two weeks later, the Commanders let him go for reasons that are not currently known.
For Dallas, the fit is obvious on paper. The Cowboys need help at left tackle, and they need it badly enough that even a short-term veteran option deserves attention.
Tyler Guyton is the player they’re hoping can give them a strong, healthy third year, but the depth behind him is thin. Recently-acquired Broderick Jones is focused on right tackle, and the emergency plan of sliding Tyler Smith over to left tackle is no longer available for a month or two after the recent loss of Tyler Smith.
Humphries brings exactly the kind of experience that can stabilize a room in a pinch. There’s also a possible connection with Klayton Adams, since Humphries’ last season in Arizona was Adams’ first as offensive line coach there.
There are still unanswered questions, though. The abrupt end to Humphries’ time in Washington has not been explained, and with veterans of his age and mileage, a retirement announcement would not be out of the ordinary. Humphries is 32 and has been in the NFL for 11 years.
Washington also offered a different setting than Dallas would. The Commanders’ new offensive coordinator, David Blough, was Humphries’ teammate in Arizona in 2022, but that doesn’t guarantee the fit was the right one now that Blough has moved into coaching.
If Humphries wants to keep playing in 2026, Dallas may present a cleaner opportunity. With the season opener approaching and left tackle depth getting thinner, the Cowboys have limited ways to patch the spot. Given the need and the Adams connection, it would not be a surprise if they at least bring Humphries in for a workout.
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The team has other backs on the roster and practice squad who could be asked to handle the load if Davis is not available, but the bigger issue now is simply waiting to learn what happened. His status for the upcoming game is unclear, and until the Cowboys get more information, they will have one more spot in the offense to monitor closely. [Read more 🡒]