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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.