Upgrades

Detroit up 5

After missing the Thanksgiving game against Buffalo with a concussion, left guard Jonah Jackson returned to practice this week, not wearing a red "no-contact" jersey. This is usually a sign that the player is close to passing the league's concussion protocol. Jackson should be in the lineup this week against Jacksonville. At right guard, Evan Brown missed last week with an ankle injury and has not practiced this week. This likely leaves Dan Skipper to play right guard in place of Brown. Their guard lineup is not fully healthy, but with Jackson in the lineup, this should be a decent upgrade over last week's starters of Kayode Awosika at right guard and Skipper on the left. The Lions rank sixth in the latest grades.

New Orleans up 7

Veteran left guard Andrus Peat returned to action last week after missing two games with a triceps injury. Peat's return sends Calvin Throckmorton to the bench. The Saints' offense has had many problems, and getting an upgrade after being shut out last week isn't exactly fortuitous timing. But the offensive line health is trending in the right direction. They are a decent group and matchup well before their division game against Tampa Bay on Monday Night Football. The Saints rank 11th in the current projections.

New England up 4

After missing last week's Thanksgiving night game against Minnesota, center David Andrews is officially questionable with a thigh injury this week against Buffalo on Thursday Night. But Andrews has told the beat writers that he is good to go for this contest, and his return would send James Ferentz to the bench. Both players are somewhat undersized, but there's definitely a noticeable difference in pass protection when Andrews is in the game. In other news, Cole Strange is taking all the snaps at left guard with Isaiah Wynn out (foot). At right tackle, Yodny Cajuste (calf/back) is also questionable, but since he played 100 percent of the snaps against Minnesota, he remains in the model. The Patriots' line grades 15th in the newest rankings.

NY Giants up 4

While the Giants still have plenty of players injured (Josh Ezeudu, neck, Shane Lemieux, toe, Jon Felicano, neck), the big news is at right tackle. Last week Tyre Phillips recovered from his neck injury in time to face the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. This week, high draft pick Evan Neal (knee) has been practicing in full. With Neal's return to the lineup, Tyre Phillips could see time at left guard for the struggling Jack Anderson. The Giants' offensive line receives a modest upgrade before facing the Commanders at home this weekend. The Giants' line clocks in at 26th in this week's model.

NY Jets up 2

Rookie right tackle Max Mitchell returned last week for the game against Chicago and played 86 percent of snaps in the victory. Mitchell had been rehabbing for more than a month with a dislocated knee injury, but he appears to be back in fighting shape. Mitchell's return was fortunate timing as his replacement, Cedric Ogbuehi, has missed practice this week with a groin injury and an illness designation on the report. The Jets' offense has sprung to life primarily due to the replacement of quarterback Zach Wilson for Mike White, but the line has also been trending in the right direction of late. The Jets' line ranks 27th before facing a decent Minnesota defense on the road.

Downgrades

Buffalo down 10

Left tackle Dion Dawkins was ruled out before Thursday Night Football against the Patriots with an ankle injury. David Quessenberry played 45 snaps for Dawkins last week and should get the entire contest against a dangerous New England pass rush. In other news, center Mitch Morse missed last week's game with ankle and elbow injuries. Greg Van Roten started at right guard, allowing Ryan Bates to sub at center for Morse. Morse has practiced in full this week, so he is included in the model. The Bills' line has been an above-average group all season, but they certainly are worse off without Dawkins, their best pass protector. The Bills' offensive line checks in at 13th in the latest rankings.

Houston down 2

Rookie left guard Kenyon Green was limited to 39 snaps last week in the loss against Miami. The coaching staff has seen enough from the struggling rookie, and veteran Justin McCray played the other 22 snaps. Look for a similar split this week against Cleveland or perhaps an entire week off for Green, who has missed practice this week with an illness. Guard issues aside, this is a tougher matchup than usual for the Texans' offensive line, who have to find a way to contain All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett. The Texans grade 14th in the updated rankings.

Baltimore down 10

Left tackle Ronnie Stanley missed last week's game against Jacksonville with an ankle injury. Although Stanley has practiced this week in a limited fashion, this is the same ankle that caused him so much grief in rehab over the last two seasons, and it's tough to trust this player to play through this particular injury. In his place, Patrick Mekari would most likely get another start, despite missing practice with an illness. Another substitute tackle, Daniel Faalele, has also missed practice with an illness designation, and something might be going around the Ravens' locker room. The Ravens' line grades out 17th before facing a somewhat difficult matchup this week at home against an active Denver defensive front.

Washington down 3

Right guard Trai Turner was forced from last week's game with ankle and knee injuries, and the veteran has not practiced this week. While Saahdiq Charles replaced Turner in the contest, Sam Cosmi is another option for the job. Cosmi and Cornelius Lucas rotated 60/40 at right tackle last week, but beat writers have observed Cosmi playing at guard this week in practice. This could be a permanent move for Cosmi, as some scouts have speculated he might be an excellent guard rather than just a decent right tackle. The Commanders' offensive line ranks 18th before facing a tough Giants' defensive front on the road.

LA Chargers down 7

Center Corey Linsley left last week's game against Arizona with a concussion and has not practiced this week. Will Clapp replaced Linsley in the game, and Clapp will likely get his 10th career start this week against Las Vegas. At right tackle, Trey Pipkins was forced from last week's game with a knee injury, and he isn't practicing. Foster Sarell replaced Pipkins in the close win over Arizona, and all signs point to Sarell getting his second career start this week against the Raiders. This youth movement adds up to a significant downgrade for the Chargers' offensive line, who fall to 28th in the current rankings.

Chicago down 3

At right tackle, Riley Reiff started last week's game against the Jets but could only make it a few snaps before his back gave out. His replacement, Larry Borom, played most of the game, but afterward, it was revealed he was playing through a fairly severe set of injuries to his ankle and knee. With neither Reiff nor Borom practicing this week, beat writers believe Alex Leatherwood will receive the call this weekend at Green Bay. Leatherwood is a former first-round pick of the Raiders who washed out in record time. Fans of the Bears feel like Leatherwood might be a waiver-wire gem (and he may very well be). But Leatherwood's pro resume is poor, and he has yet to live up to his draft billing on the field. Increasingly looking like a team evaluating players for next season, the Bears fall three spots to 29th in the latest rankings.

Miami down 14

This is a tough call. Left tackle Terron Armstead only played 37 snaps last week before leaving the game against Houston with toe and pectoral injuries. Armstead has been playing with a toe injury all season, but the pectoral strain is new. Austin Jackson took his place and 70 snaps between right and left tackle. But Jackson has been slowed by an ankle injury this week and has not participated in practice. Coaches have called Armstead's injury "week-to-week," and while it's certainly possible he will make it for the long road trip to San Francisco, chances are the Dolphins will be without both their starting tackles this weekend. Greg Little and Brandon Shell would get the start in replacement. Without their starters, the Dolphins' line falls to the bottom of the rankings, 30th overall.

Other News

ATL - LG Chuma Edoga has been limited in practice with a knee injury; Colby Gossett took 100 percent of the snaps against WAS last week. It feels like the coaches want to start Edoga over Gossett if both are healthy.

AZ - LT D.J. Humphries was added to the injured reserve list this week with a back injury, effectively ending his season. Veteran Max Garcia started RG last week, and he was an improvement over Lecitus Smith. The Cardinals still rank last, and they are on their bye week.

DEN - LG Dalton Risner (shoulder) has been limited in practice but remains in the model.

GBP - Backup OL Sean Rhyan has been suspended six games in violation of the league's PED policy.

IND - C Ryan Kelly missed two snaps last week on Monday Night Football and has been limited in practice with knee and ankle injuries. Kelly remains in the model, but should he miss time, Danny Pinter would be his replacement.

KCC - LG Joe Thuney (ankle) missed last week's game against LA Rams, and Nick Allegretti played 100 percent of the snaps in his place. Thuney practiced in full this week, and he is included in the model.

LAR - Where to begin with LA? Oday Aboushi played 100 percent of snaps last week but has missed practice this week with an illness. Rookie A.J. Arcuri (seventh-round, Michigan State) played 100 percent of last week's snaps against KCC. Ty Nsekhe has been limited with an ankle injury, but Arcuri will likely see the starts down the stretch. At center, Matt Skura started last week, but he could be replaced by Brian Allen, who is still nursing a thumb injury. Allen is not included in the model and the Rams' offensive line still ranks 31st.

LVR - LT Kolton Miller (shoulder) has been limited in practice, but he played 100 percent of the snaps against SEA (including overtime) and is still in the model.

MIN - LT Christian Darrisaw (concussion) is still in the league's protocol and will likely miss this weekend's game against the New York Jets. Blake Brandel continues to start in his place.

PHI - LG Landon Dickerson missed four snaps with an undisclosed injury last week and was briefly replaced by Andre Dillard. Dickerson remains in the model.

PIT - C Mason Cole (foot) got healthy and 100 percent of the snaps last week against IND on MNF.

SEA - RG Phil Haynes and LG Damien Lewis have both missed practice with an illness this week. Haynes has been rotating with Gabe Jackson, but Lewis remains in the model.

SFO - RG Spencer Burford has missed practice this week with an ankle injury. Burford has been splitting reps with Daniel Brunskill.

TEN - C Ben Jones missed last week's loss against Cincinnati with a concussion, but he has been practicing in full this week. His return would put Aaron Brewer back to LG and Dillon Radunz to the bench.

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