Photo: Imagn Images

Upgrades

New Orleans up 2

The Saints should have two key starters available for their road game at San Francisco this weekend. Left tackle James Hurst (concussion) and left guard Andrus Peat (biceps) have both practiced with the team this week in a limited fashion. Their return would send Landon Young and Calvin Throckmorton to the bench. This Saints' offensive line is still reeling from the loss of center Erik McCoy, who is out at least another three weeks with a calf strain. Still the return of Hurst and Young raise their grade to 18th in the latest grades.

Tennessee up 6

Center Ben Jones has practiced in a limited fashion this week. While he is not officially out of the league's concussion protocol as of press time, Jones will have had 10 days of rest since last week's win on Thursday night football. All signs point to Jones returning to the lineup and retaking his usual center spot against Cincinnati. Last week, the team slid Aaron Brewer to center from left guard, and elevated Dillon Radunz to Brewer's guard spot. The Titans' grade might be artificially low, held down by the replacement tackles of Dennis Daley and Nicholas Petit-Frere. But over time, replacements have a way of becoming starters. The Titans' line currently grades 25th, and their matchup this weekend against a leaky Cincinnati defensive line isn't terrible.

Chicago up 3

Right guard Teven Jenkins has fully recovered from his hip injury and should return to the starting lineup this weekend against the New York Jets. Jenkins was healthy enough to be an emergency backup to Michael Schofield last weekend. But Schofield had his worst day as a Bears' lineman, unable to pick up stunts and giving up the pressure that led to Justin Fields' shoulder injury. In related news, the team might turn to Larry Borom or Alex Leatherwood at right tackle, as Riley Reiff also had a rough game against Atlanta. The Bears offensive line isn't good, but with their youth getting healthy, they are somewhat improved in the short term. The group ranks 26th, up three spots before facing a tough Jets' defensive front seven.

Downgrades

Cleveland down 1

The Browns have placed center Ethan Pocic to the injured reserve, the fourth Browns' center to be added to this list this season (Michael Dunn, Nick Harris, and Dawson Deaton are the other three injured pivots, for those keeping track at home). Pocic sprained his knee the very first play of last week's game against Miami. The team signed Greg Mancz as a backup but might have to turn to Hjalte Froholdt to replace Pocic in the starting lineup. This is a troubling amount of turnover at the center spot, but as long as the team has Wyatt Teller, Joel Bitonio, Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin at the other spots, their ranking will remain relatively high. The Browns' offensive line grades 4th before hosting Tampa Bay.

Detroit down 7

Left guard Jonah Jackson has been ruled out of Thursday's game against the Bills with a concussion. Evan Brown played right guard but was forced out of last week's game with an ankle injury, and on a short week of rest, his status is in doubt. This leaves Dan Skipper starting at one guard spot and Logan Stenberg starting at the other. Kayode Awosika and Darrin Paulo would be the next up in case of injury. Replacing both guards and running low on depth, the Lions' offensive line falls to 11th in the latest rankings.

New England down 4

There's alot of change in New England this week. Isaiah Wynn, who was already moved from right tackle to left guard, has been declared out of the Thursday Night Football game with a foot injury. The team benched Trent Brown briefly last week against the New York Jets, but with Yodny Cajuste banged up, this benching didn't last long. The team signed Conor McDermott from the Jets' practice squad to bolster the position this week. At center, David Andrews left the game after only 15 snaps with what was thought to be a very serious (possibly season-ending) thigh injury. Still, Andrews returned to the team and has been practicing in a limited fashion. It's unclear who will play on Thanksgiving, but the group is trending downward, with six sacks allowed of quarterback Mac Jones last week. The Patriots' offensive line grades 19th in the most recent rankings.

Pittsburgh down 1

Center Mason Cole left last week's loss against Cincinnati just before halftime with an injury to his foot. Cole has been managing the foot injury all season but was seen wearing a walking boot after the game. J.C. Hassenauer played 56 percent of snaps in Cole's place and honestly did a decent job in relief. Cole is the veteran player, but Hassenauer has been waiting in the Steelers' developmental pipeline for a while, and the model doesn't see a huge difference in these players' grades. The Steelers grade 20th in the current rankings, down one slot before facing a somewhat mediocre Colts' defensive front on Monday Night Football.

NY Giants down 5

Lot of injuries to account for in New York. Rookie left guard Josh Ezeudu, and center Jon Feliciano have both been ruled out of Thursday's game against Dallas with neck injuries. Shane Lemieux, who started for Ezeudu last week also has been ruled out. While Nick Gates will likely replace Feliciano at center, it's unclear who will be the left guard. Options include Devery Henderson and Jack Anderson. Matt Peart might get another start at right tackle, with Evan Neal still rehabbing his knee and Tyre Phillips questionable with a neck injury of his own. Peart was declared active last week and played 82 percent of snaps against Detroit. It's just a ton of uncertainty coming out of Giants camp this week, and all the changes drop this group to 29th overall.

LA Rams down 4

The most injured line in football has gotten even more injured. Center Brian Allen has not practiced this week with a thumb injury, and has been ruled out. While other positions can start with a club, the center needs control over the ball during the snap. Journeyman Matt Skura could get another start in his place, that is if Skura himself is healthy enough. If not, Coleman Shelton would be in the mix. Ty Nsekhe has been held out of practice with an ankle injury, and he is questionable for this week's game at Kansas City. Bobby Evans replaced Nshkhe at left tackle last week, but we're talking about the replacements for the backups at this point. The Rams have seven possible starters on injured reserve at the moment. Things are not looking good for this group, currently clocking in at 31st overall in the rankings.

other news

ATL - LG Chuma Edoga saw 100 percent of snaps for Colby Gossett. Edoga could be in line for another start, as Gossett has been listed on the injury report with a personal issue.

AZ - C/G Max Garcia (shoulder) has been limited in practice, which is an improvement. If he can play, he'd been an option at center instead of Billy Price. At left tackle D.J. Humphries (back) is still not practicing and at LG Rashaad Coward and Cody Ford split reps 60/40 last week. It's a ton of uncertainty in Arizona, and that's how a team earns a 32nd ranking, last in the grades.

BAL - LT Ronnie Stanley (ankle) was forced from last week's game after 68 percent of snaps and hasn't been practicing this week. Patrick Mekari replaced Stanley in the game, but the coaches seem to believe Stanley will play this weekend against Jacksonville. I might regret this, as he's not been the most durable player of late, but I'm leaving Stanley in the model for now.

BUF - C Mitch Morse is questionable with ankle and elbow injuries. But he's still in the model since he played 100 percent of snaps against CLE.

DEN - RT Cameron Irving (illness) has not practiced but he's in the model after playing 100 percent of snaps against LVR.

GBP - LT David Bakhtiari (knee) and LG Elgton Jenkins (knee) both have been held out of practice, but both played 100 percent of snaps last week. This appears to be the routine for these players, to miss practice but play in the game.

IND - RG Matt Pryor (who is currently a backup) missed last week's game with an illness that put him in the hospital. Pryor is back with the team, but Will Fries remains the starter.

KCC - LG Joe Thuney (ankle) has missed practice this week but remains in the model as he played 100 percent of snaps vs LAC. In other-other news, RT Lucas Niang (knee) practiced in full and the team could give him some reps at right tackle over Andrew Wylie.

LVR - LT Kolton Miller (shoulder and abdomen) missed last week's win over Denver but practiced this week in a limited fashion. (Last week, Jermaine Eluemunor moved from RT, and Thayer Munford played RT)

MIN - LT Christian Darrisaw played last week despite being in the league's concussion protocol almost all week. He then was knocked out with another concussion after only 18 snaps last week left game. Look for Blake Brandel to see extended time in place of Darrisaw. These multiple concussion situations rarely resolve themselves quickly.

NYJ - RG Nate Herbig (shin) missed last week's game against NEP but has been practicing in a limited fashion, and the coach's comments point toward him probably going to play this weekend against Chicago. Dan Feeney started last week at NEP and would get the call again should Herbig suffer a setback.

TBB - LG Luke Goedeke has returned to practice in a limited fashion after missing four games with a foot injury. Most sources have Nick Leverett playing at a higher level than Goedeke for now, so it's not clear that Goedeke will get his job back.

WAS - At right tackle, Cornelius Lucas and Sam Cosmi are splitting reps 1:1. It's an uncommon amount of depth to have at this point in the season.

Full rankings