UPGRADES

LA Chargers up 13

Right tackle Bryan Bulaga participated in full this week. He will have had ten days off after missing last week's Thursday Night Football win with a concussion. While Bulaga has not formally passed the league's protocols as of press time, the veteran player appears on track to start this week. Bulaga has not been the most reliable player this year but the pass protection has been noticeably improved for the nine games he started so far. This move would place Storm Norton on the bench and raise the Chargers' offensive line grade to 10th overall. They face a vulnerable Denver defensive front at home this Sunday.

Pittsburgh up 1

It's hard to upgrade this line after their most recent performance against Cincinnati on Monday Night Football. However, without both Matt Feiler (pectoral - IR) and Kevin Dotson (shoulder), the team gave J.C. Hassenauer and Derwin Gray a 3:1 split at left guard. This upgrade is based on the projection that Dotson, the fourth-round rookie out of Louisiana, will start this week against Indianapolis. Dotson practiced in full this week, and the team needs him against a rugged Colts' defensive front. This would be Dotson's third career start. It's not an especially favorable match-up, but expect the Steelers' line to be more reliable this week, 3rd in the latest rankings.

Jacksonville up 13

Left guard Andrew Norwell broke his forearm during a Week 10 loss to Pittsburgh and he was placed on injured reserve. However, Norwell recovered in quick fashion and was able to return to the lineup last week against Baltimore. Norwell played 100% of snaps in the contest after missing a calendar month. This allowed Tyler Shatley to start at center and Ben Bartch to go back to the bench. Due to dysfunction at the other positions, it's not clear that the Jacksonville offense will be able to function against Chicago this week, or any other defense. But those looking for optimism can find it along the offensive line, which ranks 13th in this week's rankings.

Kansas City up 5

The coaches shuffled the lineup last week against New Orleans, as the usual left guard Andrew Wylie popped out to right tackle and played 100% of snaps for Mike Remmers (back). The team signed veteran Stefen Wisniewski just prior to the contest, and he played 100% at guard. With Remmers participating in full this week, this Chiefs' offensive line is getting healthier, and they rank 23rd in the current grades. This group should have a favorable matchup against a weakened Atlanta defensive front seven this weekend.

DOWNGRADES

Cleveland down 2

With Wyatt Teller (ankle) out last week against the Giants, the Browns turned to veteran swing tackle Chris Hubbard to start. Hubbard lasted only 2 snaps before suffering a season-ending knee injury. The team was forced to turn to fifth-round rookie Nick Harris, who played 98% of snaps at the right guard spot. This undersized fifth-round rookie is turning into a fan-favorite but there is a big drop-off between Teller and Harris. Right tackle Jack Conklin and center J.C. Tretter are both limited with knee issues but expected to play. Still, injuries are starting to mount for the 6th ranked line, who face a good matchup this week against a depleted NY Jets defensive front.

Houston down 3

Right tackle Tytus Howard only lasted 19 snaps in last week's game against Indianapolis before leaving with a concussion. The Texans have placed Howard on injured reserve, ending his season. In his place, Roderick Johnson steps in to start. Johnson, a second-year player out of Florida State, is actually one of the league's better swing options. Still, he's a raw player, with only 5 career starts and it's fair to expect a small drop off. The Texans' offensive line falls a few spots to 12th overall, but they have a favorable matchup this week against a Bengals' defense that is playing out the string.

Buffalo down 2

Right tackle Daryl Williams played 60% of snaps against Denver then left with a groin injury. Williams has been a stalwart for the Bills' line this season, starting all 14 games at right tackle so far. Ty Nsekhe stepped in for Williams, and with Williams not practicing, Nsekhe will likely get the call again this week at a tough New England defensive front. Nsekhe is a technician in pass protection but the run game could be affected while Williams recovers. The Bills' offensive line ranks 17th in this week's grades.

New England down 5

Center David Andrews was forced from last week's game against Miami with a calf injury and has not practiced this week. James Ferentz replaced Andrews in the contest, and he could get his 4th career start this weekend against a surprisingly vulnerable Buffalo defensive front. Ferentz is a smart player, the son of a famous coach, but he's not a particularly special athlete. Already missing their starting tackles, the Patriots' offensive line is limping down the stretch, ranked 21st in the most recent rankings.

Seattle down 9

Right tackle Brandon Shell missed last week's game against Washington and has not practiced this week. Cedric Ogbuehi took 100% of snaps for Shell, but the offense appears limited without it's starting right tackle. Shell is officially questionable for this week's big divisional game against the LA Rams, but it's not clear that Shell will be ready in time. In other news, Jordan Simmons played 75% of snaps for Mike Iupati, who is dealing with a neck injury. The difference between Simmons and Iupati is far less noticeable than the gap between Shell and Ogbuehi. The Seahawks' offensive line ranks 23rd in this week's grades.

Miami down 3

Left guard Ereck Flowers missed last week's contest against New England, and Solomon Kindley got the start in his place. However, Kindley was forced from the game with foot and knee injuries and has not been practicing this week. Assuming Flowers is still unable to go, this leaves Michael Dieter to get a late-season audition at left guard, this Saturday against a malleable Las Vegas defensive front. Dieter was a once-highly regarded prospect but could be playing for a job in another city with this opportunity. The Dolphins' offensive line has a ton of talent but can't seem to get it all healthy at the same time. They rank 24th in the latest grades.

Atlanta down 16

There are two major injuries in Atlanta. At center, Alex Mack played 100% of last week's snaps against Tampa Bay but was added to the league's concussion protocol mid-week. At left guard James Carpenter started and played 75% of snaps but he was forced from the game with a growing injury. The team could be forced to start third-round rookie Matt Hennessey at center and Justin McCray for guard. Neither are amazing options but Hennessey is especially vulnerable, having been buried on the depth chart by coaches after early-season action. The team also has issues at right tackle, where against the Bucs, Matt Gono and Kaleb McGary had a 4:1 split, in favor of Gono. All of this uncertainty adds up to a major downgrade for the Falcons' offensive line. They rank 26th and have a tough match-up against Kansas City.

OTHER NEWS

ARZ - JR Sweezy/Max Garcia had a 50/50 split at LG for Justin Pugh (calf, limited). Coaches say Pugh made some improvement from last week, and he is included in the model against SFO.

BAL - RT Tyre Phillips had a rare "big man run" last week, but also suffered a concussion. DJ Fluker took 86% of snaps and will likely start at RT until Phillips heals.

DET - Lots of news in Detroit, none of it good, but no real change in ranks either. Still no sign of Tyrell Crosby (ankle) or Frank Ragnow (throat) at practice. Last week Matt Nelson/Halapoulivaati Vaitai had a 50/50 split at RT vs TEN. Vaitai was added to the league's concussion protocol on Wednesday and the team signed Dan Skipper for depth.

DEN - RG Graham Glasgow returned to play last week and has been practicing in full (foot/hand).

IND - Two situations to watch as LT Anthony Castonzo is resting a knee injury and Nelson is limited with a back problem. Both played 100% of snaps last week against HOU and are included in the model.

LAR - RT Rob Havenstein was limited in practice with a neck injury but he has not missed any time and is included in the model.

LVR - RG Gabe Jackson (knee) and C Rodney Hudson (knee/Back) were limited in practice but both are included in the model.

NOS - LG Andrus Peat (ankle) missed practice on Tuesday but was upgraded to limited on Wednesday. It is a short week, but expect Peat to be ready for the Friday game at Minnesota.

NYG - RT Matt Peart is still nursing an ankle. At left guard, Shane Lemieux had a 2:1 split over Will Hernandez last week. It is not clear if Hernandez is in the current coaching staff's future plans.

NYJ - RG Josh Andrews is limited with a shoulder injury, but he continues to start for Greg Van Roten.

SFO - Justin Skule played 100% of RG reps last week against Dallas and had serious breakdowns in pass protection.

TEN - Some players to watch: RT Dennis Kelly (knee) LG Rodger Saffold (toe), C Ben Jones (knee). All were limited in practice and included in this week's model.

WFT - RT Morgan Moses (ankle) and LG Wes Schweitzer (hip) were limited in practice this week, but are expected to play against Carolina.

FULL RANKINGS