It was a relatively healthy week for offensive lines around the league; nobody noteworthy being lost for the season qualifies as a "healthy" week. But there were still injury developments -- players being sidelined, players returning -- and a noteworthy benching to recap.
Bengals center Billy Price has a foot injury and is out indefinitely. Cincinnati will use guard Trey Hopkins in that spot, a downgrade for as long as he's there.
The Giants benched right tackle Ereck Flowers. Safe to say that first-round pick didn't work out (it's been safe to say that for a while now). If he ever resurrects his career (hey, it happens sometimes) it will probably be with a different team. The replacement is Chad Wheeler.
The Titans expect to get Jack Conklin (knee) back in the lineup this week. It's a good thing, since they just placed his replacement, Kevin Pamphile, on IR.
The Steelers didn't have either Marcus Gilbert or David DeCastro available against Tampa Bay. Gilbert is expected to return for Week 4; DeCastro is less likely.
Rams guard Jamon Brown was suspended for the first two games of the season. Austin Blythe filled in well enough that Brown didn't start in Week 3; he played special teams. We're leaving Blythe in the lineup; we'll see what the Rams do going forward. Looks like one of the league's better lines has some nice depth.
Packers right guard Justin McCray has a shoulder injury and is out indefinitely. Green Bay will be trying Byron Bell there, best remembered for playing tackle (and generally struggling) for the Panthers and Cowboys. A downgrade for Green Bay's line.
In Washington, guard Shawn Lauvao has a calf injury and will miss time. Washington will use Chase Roullier at his spot, with Tony Bergstrom at center.
Rankings are below; colorful table posted on our Facebook page showing our evaluation of each player.
| OFFENSIVE LINE RANKINGS | |
|---|---|
| Rk | Team |
| 1. | New Orleans |
| 2. | Philadelphia |
| 3. | LA Rams |
| 4. | LA Chargers |
| 5. | Atlanta |
| 6. | Pittsburgh |
| 7. | Dallas |
| 8. | Green Bay |
| 9. | New England |
| 10. | Tennessee |
| 11. | Oakland |
| 12. | Kansas City |
| 13. | Jacksonville |
| 14. | Washington |
| 15. | Baltimore |
| 16. | San Francisco |
| 17. | Chicago |
| 18. | Tampa Bay |
| 19. | Denver |
| 20. | Detroit |
| 21. | Minnesota |
| 22. | Seattle |
| 23. | Carolina |
| 24. | NY Jets |
| 25. | Indianapolis |
| 26. | Cleveland |
| 27. | Miami |
| 28. | Cincinnati |
| 29. | NY Giants |
| 30. | Houston |
| 31. | Arizona |
| 32. | Buffalo |
--Andy Richardson