Photo: Imagn Images

UPGRADES

Indianapolis up 10

After missing last week's loss to Cleveland, left tackle Anthony Castonzo showed up in pads at practice. Castonzo's official status was limited and he is questionable for this week when the Colts host Cincinnati. But all signs point to Castonzo being fully healed from his rib injury. Last week LeRaven Clark started in place of Castonzo, and Myles Garrett had a field day. With all their starters ready, this is the highest-rated line in this week's ratings.

New Orleans up 4

Left guard Andrus Peat returned from his ankle injury last week and was able to play 100% of snaps against the Chargers on Monday Night Football. With Peat healthy, and the rookie Cesar Ruiz settled in at right guard, Nick Easton goes back to the bench and the coaches finally get to see their ideal lineup from preseason. Easton is a good utility player but lacks the physical upside of the starters. Not that they ever left the top-ten, but the Saints' line once again carries an elite grade. They are on their Bye Week and return Week 7 to face the Panthers at home.

New England up 7

Right guard Shaq Mason has recovered from his calf injury and was limited in this week's practice. With James Ferentz and Jermaine Elumunor on the injury report, a potential lineup this week against Denver would have Joe Thuney again moving to center, with Mason at right guard and the rookie Michael Onwenu at left guard for Thuney. Justin Herron would get the start at right tackle. Aside from the questions at right tackle, the other four represent an upgrade. The Patriots once again are a solid, run-first line.

DOWNGRADES

Kansas City down 4

It was hard to watch left guard Kelechi Osemele get carted off early last week against Las Vegas. Mike Remmers replaced Osemele for the remaining 93% of snaps and will likely start at his left guard spot this week at Buffalo, and going forward. While Osemele is a better player than Remmers, he never truly fit the hybrid-zone scheme favored by Andy Reid. All of this is to say, it's a downgrade for this line, but not a dire one. They remain in the top-tier of this week's rankings.

Pittsburgh down 8

Right guard David Decastro was forced out of last week's win against Philadelphia with an abdomen injury. Rookie Kevin Dotson (who started Week 2), saw out the rest of the game in place of Decastro. Dotson is slated to get another start this week at Cleveland. Center Maurkice Pouncey missed the final four snaps last week with a foot injury, but the coaches say he is likely to start this week. JC Hassenauer (former UDFA from Alabama 2018) filled in but if it happens again this week, Stefen Wisniewski would likely get the call. With both Decastro and Pouncey this is an elite line, but with only one likely available they fall to the middle of the pack.

Cleveland down 6

Right guard Wyatt Teller was forced from the Colts game with a calf injury and is officially week-to-week. Teller had been playing at a near-Pro Bowl level in the run game, as he and right tackle Jack Conklin often dominate the point of attack. Swing tackle Chris Hubbard replaced Teller during the game and played 81% of snaps. Hubbard is a veteran and might even be a small upgrade over Teller in pass protection, but he's not a natural guard and will be a huge downgrade in pulling blocks and other counter concepts from the Browns' offense. This line was nearing the top-tier with Teller in form but they are about average without him.

Chicago down 2

Center James Daniels was placed on injured reserve with a torn pectoral. Alex Bars replaced Daniels during last week's game against Philadelphia, and will likely be the starter for the rest of the season. Fellow Notre Dame UDFA alum Sam Mustipher was signed to the active roster to provide depth. The Bears' still grade out as a middle of the road line but in a week of many high profile injuries, this could actually be the most significant on the fantasy output of the offense.

Philadelphia down 14

Right tackle Lane Johnson has been playing through a high ankle sprain this season but couldn't make it through last week's game against Pittsburgh. Jack Driscoll had been splitting reps with Johnson for the last month or so, but expect him to get the start this week while Johnson recovers. This line has potential and there's much to like about Jordan Mailata at left tackle, but other than Jason Kelce at the center position, they are raw at the other four spots.

Arizona down 6

Right guard J.R. Sweezy was forced from last week's win over the Jets with an elbow injury. Justin Murray played 51% of snaps in Sweezy's place and he will likely get his first career start this week at Dallas on Monday Night Football. The franchise loves Murray and gave him a two-year extension recently, but Murray is seen more as a replacement at right tackle than at guard. With quick passes and a mobile quarterback, this offense doesn't require a top five-line to be productive. This is convenient, as the Cardinals check-in at 24th in the latest rankings.

Miami down 2

Left tackle Austin Jackson was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury suffered prior to last week's game in San Francisco. Right tackle Jesse Davis swapped to the left side, and rookie Robert Hunt received his first career start. Hunt (and the entire offense) was impressive at San Francisco, which makes this a tough downgrade to make, but history has shown that once teams get film on rookie starters, they can game plan against them. Hunt could be the rare exception (as the team's marketing department would have everyone believe) but they take a small downgrade for now.

OTHER NEWS

Atlanta - James Carpenter has again taken most of the reps at left guard, Matt Hennessy had only 12 plays last week against Carolina.

Baltimore - Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (shoulder) did not practice and right guard Tyre Phillips was also limited with a shoulder injury. Both are expected to play this week against PHI.

Buffalo - Left tackle Dion Dawkins and right guard Brian Winters were relieved late last week during Tuesday Night Football and were replaced by Ty Nsekhe and Ike Boettger. The game was a blowout at this point and veterans are probably fine.

Carolina - Left guard Chris Reed kept his job even though Dennis Daley was healthy. Russell Okung had a great return, limiting Greg Little to one snap.

Detroit - Center Frank Ragnow showed up on the injury report limited with a groin situation he picked up during the bye week. Ragnow is expected to play.

LA Chargers - Storm Norton saw his first game action for left tackle Sam Tevi. The Chargers are on their bye week but could get back Bryan Bulaga and/or Trai Turner. Watch for a probable Week 7 upgrade.

NY Jets - Mekhi Becton appears no closer to returning from a shoulder injury, expect George Fant to continue at left tackle, and Chuma Edoga at right.

Tennessee - Left tackle Taylor Lewan was forced from Tuesday Night Football against the Bills with a shoulder injury, the same shoulder he injured in Week 3. Ty Sambrailo replaced Lewan in the game but the model expects Lewan to play through the injury this week against Houston. Rookie right tackle Isaiah Wilson was taken off the Covid list and should be available this week as well.

Washington - Center Chase Roullier did not practice with a knee injury. Roullier played 100% of snaps against Los Angeles Rams and is expected to play this week against the Giants.

FULL RANKINGS