Photo: Jeff Hanisch, USA Today Sports

UPGRADES

Green Bay up 7

With Billy Turner fully healthy for the first time all year, the coaches chose to go with the right side of Lucas Patrick at guard and Turner at tackle, relegating Rick Wagner to the bench. With Wagner, Jon Runyan, and Yosh Nijman, the Packers have enviable depth. Even with Lane Taylor on injured reserve, the coaching can conjure up seemingly infinite lineup combinations when injury strikes. This "best five" idea has performed well in pass protection, keeping quarterback Aaron Rodgers upright this season. With the Falcons traveling to Wisconsin for Monday Night, this line carries an elite grade in the latest rankings.

San Francisco up 7

Many players lose a step after taking time away from the game, but it's hard to understate how dominant Trent Williams has been for San Francisco this season. The former All-Pro appears to have recaptured his previous form in full and his efforts spearhead a balanced 49ers attack. The model degrades a player who has full seasons in between starts, but Williams has shown zero rust in his return to action. This line has a top-10 grade.

Tampa Bay up 4

Few teams are getting as much out of their first-round picks as the Bucs are getting from right tackle Tristan Wirfs. Through three games, Wirfs has been battle-tested against top pass rushers, and he has been part of a unit that has only given up 5 sacks of quarterback Tom Brady so far this season. Left tackle Donovan Smith has been limited in practice with a knee injury, and his play overall has been leaky compared to Wirfs, but assuming he plays through it, this line is a middle of the road option this weekend, home against the Chargers.

NY Jets up 4

Disclaimer: This line is still well below average. But the Jets' line deserves a nominal upgrade as right tackle George Fant returns from the concussion protocol, sending Chuma Edoga to the bench. Fant missed last week's loss to Indianapolis but should be in the lineup this Thursday against Denver. Left tackle Mekhi Becton has been excellent in early action, but he was forced from last week's game with a shoulder injury. Becton is expected to play but it is a short turnaround.

DOWNGRADES

New Orleans down 2

Left guard Andrus Peat was forced from Sunday Night's loss against Green Bay with a high-ankle sprain. Coaches have described the injury as week-to-week, paving the way for rookie Cesar Ruiz to join the starting lineup. Ruiz had been rotating through at right guard, and will likely start there, with Nick Easton swapping over to the left side. Peat has made the two most recent Pro Bowls, but has yet to make it through a full 16 game season in his career. With or without Peat, this is still an excellent offensive line.

Buffalo down 6

Left tackle Dion Dawkins was forced from last weekend's win against the Rams with a shoulder injury. Dawkins has not practiced this week and Ty Nsekhe could replace him when the team travels to Las Vegas this weekend. Dawkins is officially questionable but he is not included in the current rankings. In other news, the coaches have benched Quenton Spain at left guard, moving Cody Ford to his place. Often matched up against Aaron Donald, Ford had a mixed day. Brian Winters appears to be the starting right guard going forward, at least until Jon Feliciano returns to health. This offense produces points but the injuries along the line are starting to mount. Assuming Dawkins misses this week (tough call), they grade in the low-end of the rankings. With Dawkins, they would carry an average grade. But the lineup needs to settle before it can be counted among the league's better lines.

Las Vegas down 5

The Trent Brown saga continues, as his calf injury has kept him out of both last week's game at New England and practice this week. Sam Young has been limited with a groin injury, and if he can go against Buffalo, it would allow Denzelle Good to move over to left guard, where John Simpson is struggling in place of Richie Incognito. But there are many conditionals in these statements. This team just needs to get healthy. Until then, they fall from the top-tier to the middle of the pack.

Philadelphia down 6

Jason Peters was forced from the end of last week's Bengals overtime game with a neck injury. Jordan Mailata replaced Peters and the former rugby player is on track for his first career start, this weekend at San Francisco. Should Mailata struggle, Jack Driscoll could be another option, assuming he recovers from the illness which has kept him out of this week's practice. But with both starting guards on injured reserve (rookie Nate Herbig somehow looking more steady than Matt Pryor in replacement) and Jason Peters in apparent physical decline, this line really has to rely on center Jason Kelce and right tackle Lane Johnson for the remainder of the season. Their fans may not believe that this line is still better than many others around the league, but the trend lines are pointing downward.

Dallas down 2

Left tackle Tyron Smith has been out with a neck injury the last two games. Brandon Knight replaced him in Seattle and will likely do so again this week against Cleveland. But last week a massive shuffle broke out when Terrence Steele (undrafted rookie, subbing for La'el Collins) left the game due to complications with food poisoning. The team deployed their emergency plan, kicking Zack Martin to right tackle. Tyler Biadasz saw his first game action at center, while Joe Looney moved to right guard. All of this is to say, who knows what the lineup will be this weekend. But without Smith, the Cowboys' line grade as a below-average group.

Carolina down 12

Left tackle Russell Okung missed week three with a groin injury and has not practiced this week so far. Trent Scott and Greg Little split the reps, with Scott having the better end of a 60/40 split. Left guard Dennis Daley has been at practice and could start Week 4 at Arizona. Michael Schofield started week 2 and Chris Reed started week 3. This line has all the ingredients to be a solid unit, but the constant lineup changes make it difficult to grade them as such.

LA Chargers down 7

Right tackle Bryan Bulaga started the game against Carolina but left after 34 snaps with a back injury. Trey Pipkins replaced Bulaga during the game, and looks like he will get the start this week at Tampa Bay. Right guard Trai Turner is still not practicing due to a groin injury suffered during Week 2. Tyree St Louis only made it through three snaps last week before leaving with a concussion. Ryan Groy played most of the game in place of St Louis. Until they can get their veterans back, this line will be vulnerable along the right side.

Denver down 2

Right tackle Elijah Wilkinson was carted from the game against Tampa Bay last week with a lower leg injury. Wilkinson was placed on injured reserve, making way for Demar Dotson to seize the starting role. Wilkinson is not the most amazing prospect, but he is younger, stronger and more balanced than Dotson, who has serious shortcomings in run blocking and could be on his last hurrah as an NFL player. At least this group gets a favorable matchup, this Thursday against the New York Jets.

OTHER NEWS

ATL - Matt Gono played vs Chicago and struggled at times. McGary has an extra day to get ready for MNF vs GB but is not included in the current ranks.

BAL - Ronnie Stanley played 100% of snaps against KC, but has been limited in practice this week with a shoulder injury. He is expected to play.

CIN - Michael Jordan limited in practice with a knee injury but he is likely to play. Fred Johnson/Billy Price continue to split reps at right guard. Johnson is better, but mostly due to Price's penalties.

CLE - Joel Bitonio did not practice due to a back injury, Conklin was limited with an elbow, Tretter was limited with a knee. All are expected to play this week at Dallas.

JAC - Brandon Linder did not practice this week. Linder is officially "day-to-day" with a knee injury thought to be serious. In other news, Cam Robinson was ejected for contact with a ref, and Will Richardson finished the game in his place.

KC - Andrew Wylie was ill prior to the MNF win over Baltimore and was rushed from the stadium to the hospital with a case of appendicitis. Mike Remmers started in his place and played fine at right guard. Wylie returned to practice this week without limitations.

HOU - Sharping and Kelemete continue to split reps at left guard. The official count was 27-20 in favor of Sharping, but neither is playing all that well.

NEP - David Andrews was placed on injured reserve with a thumb injury. All Pro Joe Thuney moved to center (and was excellent), while Michael Onwenu received his third career start, this time at left guard. The Patriots appear to have found a gem in the rookie Onwenu.

SEA - Damien Lewis was carted from the Dallas game and Jordan Simmons filled him for him. Lewis is limited in practice as the injury was not as serious as originally feared. Left tackle Duane Brown is nursing a knee and has not practiced, but he is expected to be full go at Miami.

WAS - Morgan Moses did not practice this week due to a hip injury. Moses played 100% of snaps last week against Cleveland and is included in the model for this week's home game against Baltimore.

FULL RANKINGS