Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals rookie LT Humphries looks to put inactive season behind him

Published Jan. 26, 2016 1:04 p.m. ET

foxsports

Quick: Name the Arizona Cardinals' first-round draft pick from 2015.

Hint: He never set foot on the field and injuries were not a reason why.

Less than a year after the Cardinals selected him with the No. 24 overall pick, left tackle D.J. Humphries is still waiting for his chance to make a contribution - although all signs point to that coming in the 2016 season.

“D.J. has really improved,” Arizona coach Bruce Arians said Monday on his weekly radio appearance on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. “I would never tell him, but I would have played D.J. without hesitation in the second half of the season.”

The 6-foot-5, 307-pound Humphries was one of only four first-round picks from last year who didn't appear in a game, but he was the only one that was not affected by health-related issues. Even though he was inactive for all 18 games, Humphries did make progress.

"He’s come a long way, he’s definitely come a long way,” guard Jonathan Cooper said. “He always works hard, but understanding the aspect of being able to give more, and give effort and showing a the passion and love for the game. That’s where he’s made the most strides.”

With right tackle Bobby Massie set to become an unrestricted free agent, Arians said he anticipates Humphries sliding into that spot next season. That's the goal of Humphries, who admits it was a "bittersweet" rookie season.

“I got to be a part of a great thing and learn a lot of great things from a lot of people, but I had to swallow a pill that I wasn’t used to having to swallow — my pride," Humphries said. "Learning that I wasn’t ready, I had to sit out and learn for awhile.”