D.J. Humphries 5th-Year Contract Option Picked Up by Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals picked up the fifth-year contract option on offensive lineman D.J. Humphries' rookie deal on Friday, according to ESPN's Field Yates. 

Taken with the 24th overall pick in 2015, he has worked hard to avoid being labeled a bust, and it appears the team believes he can be a long-term asset in the desert.

As a 21-year-old, Humphries was inactive his entire rookie season. He has made improvements since then to earn a starting spot on the line. Unfortunately for him, staying in the lineup hasn't been easy.

Humphries missed the final three games of the 2016 season while in concussion protocol. The 6'5", 307-pound lineman missed four games early last year due to an MCL sprain. He returned to the field only to be placed on injured reserve with a dislocated kneecap and an MCL injury four games later.

The latest injury put a halt on his momentum.

"It's kind of been a chronic MCL for him because he had a brace on," then-Arizona coach Bruce Arians said at the time, per Kyle Odegard of AZCardinals.com. "That should fix that problem he's had. It's a shame, because he was playing really, really well."

For Sam Bradford, Mike Glennon or whoever is under center for Arizona in 2018 and beyond, protection is key. Humphries provides experience on both the left and right sides of the line.

Humphries has shown glimpses when he has been on the field—and the team is willing to bet his injuries are behind him.