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UPGRADES

Pittsburgh up 8

All-Pro right guard David Decastro returned to practice this week in a limited fashion. Decastro has been dealing with an abdomen injury, and while rookie Kevin Dotson has been excellent in relief, the veteran represents a notable upgrade to almost any lineup. All hands appear to be on deck for this week's big AFC matchup against Tennessee and signs point to Decastro getting the start in the pivotal road game. In related news, center Maurkice Pouncey returned to action last week against Cleveland and was part of a dominant rushing effort that led to three touchdowns on the ground. Pouncey was pulled from the game after 83% of snaps (J.C Hassenauer saw some garbage time). Pouncey has been rested this week by the coaches, but he too should be ready for Tennessee. The Steelers' line carries an elite grade in the latest rankings.

Philadelphia up 17

This upgrade is driven by two pieces of injury news. First, right tackle Lane Johnson returned to practice this week and participated in full. Johnson had been dealing with a high ankle sprain over multiple weeks. Rookie Jack Driscoll was carted from the Baltimore game with an ankle injury of his own, so Johnson's return to health couldn't be better timed. The second piece of news, right guard Matt Pryor was activated from the Covid list, allowing the team to cut Jamon Brown. This line has been ravaged by injury since the year's start (Issac Suamalo, Brandon Brooks, Jason Peters, Andre Dillard all on IR) but getting two starters back while many other teams take a dive has this Eagles' line improbably rejoining the high end of the rankings.

Seattle up 6

Given a bye week, left guard Mike Iupati should be able to return to the lineup this weekend against Arizona. In other news right guard Damien Lewis has been battling like a veteran and should the team's success continue, could be in line for Pro Bowl honors. In other news, the tackles got a rest this week, as Brandon Shell did not practice with an illness unrelated to Covid while Duane Brown was limited with a knee injury. This improved offensive line grades about the middle of the pack, which is a big improvement from recent seasons.

Washington up 8

Last last week (after press time for this article) right guard Brandon Scherff was activated from the injured reserve list. Scherff was effective during the team's one-point loss against the Giants. In other news, rookie Saahdiq Charles also started the game but dislocated his knee cap after only two snaps. Charles was not in the rankings long enough for his injury to affect the overall grade. This line has a favorable matchup this weekend against Dallas.

DOWNGRADES

Las Vegas down 8

Right tackle Trent Brown was added to the COVID list this week. The coaching staff sent all the starting linemen into isolation, and they will not practice together prior to the Sunday Night Football game against Tampa Bay. Sam Young, who has carved an improbable career out for himself is likely to another start. Left guard Richie Incognito is eligible to return from injured reserve, but even following the team's bye week, he is still not at practice. Brown is talented but not reliable week to week. Assuming the rest of the starters can play, this is still an excellent group.

San Francisco down 5

Center Ben Garland was added to the injured reserve list with a calf injury suffered during last week's loss win over the Rams. Veteran Hroniss Grasu took Garland's place and will likely man the position going forward, as usual starter Weston Richburg is still on the PUP list, and coaches have stated he will not be available until Week 12. Grasu is a small step down from Garland, but the line is still playing well. In related news, left tackle Trent Williams has missed practice with an ankle injury. Williams is still in the ranks, but this line would fall from top-16 with him to bottom-8 without him. Those with exposure to the San Francisco offense this weekend at New England should monitor Williams' game-time status.

New England down 1

Where to begin with New England. First the bad news, right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor was added to the injured reserve list with an ankle injury. Hjalte Froholdt saw 71% of snaps for Elumunor during last week's home loss to Denver. It's not clear if Froholdt will get the start or if some combination of Justin Herron or Michael Onwenu will be given the chance. The good news is that the team activated right guard Shaq Mason from COVID list and designated center David Andrews to return from injured reserve, and both starters should play this weekend against San Francisco. But what the lineup will be exactly is hard to predict. Last week Isaiah Wynn started at left guard while Justin Herron played left tackle. This line has a ton of potential but it would be nice to see a lineup settle.

Green Bay down 18

All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari was forced from last week's loss at Tampa Bay with a chest injury and he has not practiced this week. During the game, Ricky Wagner replaced Bakhtiari. This could happen again, or there could be some kind of shuffle involving left guard Elgton Jenkins or right tackle Billy Turner. Whatever lineup the coaches decide upon, expect the new left tackle to face a trial by fire this week at Houston. The loss of this player sends the Packers' grade reeling from the top-5 down to 23rd overall.

Tennessee down 17

Former Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan was added to the injured reserve list with a torn ACL. Ty Sambailo replaced Lewan during the game and could do so again this week against Pittsburgh. With Isaiah Wilson still not practicing with an illness and Dennis Kelly fighting through a knee injury at right tackle, Sambrailo really might be the best option. Lewan is a team captain and the low-key heart of this offense. Without him, the Titans' line falls to the low-tier. It's hard to believe that one player can make that much of a difference, but it didn't go well for Tennessee's offense the last time Lewan was injured.

Kansas City down 22

All-Pro right tackle Mitchell Schwartz was forced from last week's Buffalo game with a back injury after only 8 snaps. Schwartz's injury doesn't sound like a long term problem, but they will miss him while he is recovering. During the game, the coaches made a heroic change moving Mike Remmers (who was starting at left guard in place of Kelechi Osemele) to right tackle, where he has career experience. Nick Allegretti played left guard and impressed onlookers with his run blocking. In other news, center Austin Reiter was a late scratch with a knee injury (Daniel Kilgore played 100%) but Reiter practiced in full this week and is expected to be ready for Denver. Still, without their best lineman, the Chiefs' unit takes a perilous fall down the rankings.

NY Jets down 2

It's a mixed bag for the Jets as rookie left tackle Mekhi Becton practiced this week and could return against Buffalo. His shoulder seems to be recovered but left guard Alex Lewis's shoulder is not doing as well. Lewis was forced from last week's shutout against Miami. Josh Andrews got reps for Lewis and could get the start this week. This is a struggling line, and losing Lewis can't help.

Dallas down 2

The wheels truly have fallen off the bus in Dallas. Right guard Zack Martin left last week's game after 7 snaps with a concussion and has not practiced this week. Connor McGovern replaced Martin during the game and could get the start this week against Washington. The current starting left tackle Brandon Knight played 100% of snaps last week but required surgery after the game, and coaches say he will miss at least two weeks. Cam Erving is available to return from the injured reserve list but is reportedly still out with an illness unrelated to Covid. The options for left tackle include Greg Senat and practice squad players like Jordan Mills, Eric Smith, and William Sweet. Let's say Senat goes but it's just a wild guess at this point.

OTHER NEWS

ARZ - RG J.R. Sweezy was added to IR with an elbow injury. Justin Murray started. RT Kelvin Beachum did not practice Wednesday but he played 100% of snaps last week and should be ready for Seattle.

BAL - RG Tyre Phillips returned and played most (74%) of the snaps against Philadelphia. Patrick Mekari and Ben Powers also saw time.

BUF - Released LG Quinton Spain - Cody Ford was forced from last week's game with a knee injury but is still included in the ranks. Ike Boettger saw 10 snaps in his place.

CAR - RG John Miller is limited with an ankle injury but should play this week at New Orleans. There is an outbreak among the backups as OT Trent Scott, OG Michael Schofield, and C Tyler Larsen were all added to the Covid list.

CHI - LG Rashaad Coward played 100% of snaps for James Daniels and was unsteady. This line has taken a step backward from the start of the season but as many other teams have also fallen to injury, the Bears tread water in the rankings.

CLE - RG Wyatt Teller still has not practiced with a calf injury. Chris Hubbard playing out of position has not been strong in the run game.

DEN - Rookie RG Dalton Risner was forced from last week's game with a shoulder injury. Austin Schlottman replaced - exact 50/50 split of snaps in NE.

HOU - LT Laremy Tunsil was limited in practice with a shoulder injury, LG Senio Kelemete was limited with a shoulder of his own, both should be ready for Green Bay.

JAX - RG AJ Cann (shoulder) missed most of last week's game against DET.- Ben Bartch played 86% of snaps and could be coming for Cann's job.

LAC - RG Trai Turner (groin) did not practice, and RT Bryan Bulaga did but in a limited fashion - Despite the bye week, the head coach said both are not ready yet.

MIN - Rookie Ezra Cleveland 100% of snaps at right guard last week against Atlanta. Cleveland is the 3rd right guard to start this season after Pat Elflein (IR) and Dru Samia (benched).

NOS - LT Terron Armstead did not practice Wednesday with a hand injury. Armstead is like a sportscar, high performance but notoriously high maintenance (by offensive line standards). Armstead is still in the rankings but those with exposure to the New Orleans offense monitor the gameday inactives. In other news, backup Nick Easton is in concussion protocol and will likely not be available against CAR.

NYG - The coaches benched rookie LT Andrew Thomas for the first half of the WFT win for violation of team policy. Matt Peart (third-round rookie) got the start. It's not clear if any further lineup changes are in the offing.

FULL RANKINGS