There’s some significant news to report this week, in terms of major injuries and lineup changes. In addition, there are several smaller player updates and various pieces of good news to report. Let’s dive right in:
JAX - RT Austin Paztor was placed on injured reserve with a torn hamstring.
Last week, Jaguars starting right tackle Austin Pazstor was injured against the Giants. The injury proved to be severe and Paztor will spend the rest of the season on the reserve list. Counting the four games Paztor missed earlier in the season, he will have missed about half of the games. The Jags could be looking for a more stable option in 2015. Undrafted rookie Josh Wells replaced him during the game, but he might be considered more of a guard and the team could also turn to Sam Young instead. Neither are particularly great options. This represents about a ten slot drop in the rankings, from about the teens to the mid-twenties.
CHI - C/G Brian de la Puente placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury.
Prior to last week’s Thanksgiving game, the Bears surprisingly put Brian de la Puente on the injured reserve list. It’s not exactly clear when de la Puente suffered the injury, as he had been starting at left guard and played all of the snaps during Week 12’s contest against Tampa Bay. In his place, the team moved Jordan Mills back to right tackle and Michael Ola back to left guard. Both players have playing experience at these positions earlier in the season. This loss is significant but doesn’t represent a downgrade at this time. In better news, RG Kyle Long had an outstanding game against the Lions and is really coming into his own.
TEN – C Brian Schwenke placed on injured reserve; both tackles are banged up.
It wasn’t too long ago I was calling out the Titans as an underrated line. Well, the Titans are not in great shape along the offensive line this week. Center Brian Schwenke was placed on injured reserve last week with a knee injury. Schwenke was probably the weak spot of the line, and was replaced by Chris Spencer. Spencer is an experienced veteran, if this was the only change, that wouldn’t be too terrible. Unfortunately the first round rookie left tackle Taylor Lewan missed last week’s contest and was replaced by Will Svitek. Both Lewan and Michael Oher (toe) are not participating in practice this week, and could be doubtful against the Giants. Oher would be replaced by Byron Stingily this weekend. The team signed Terren Jones which is not a great sign that the tackles will be ready to go on Sunday. Those with Titans players in their lineups should check the inactive list and be aware of the situation along the Titans line.
NYG – G/T Geoff Schwartz and G/C Adam Snyder placed on season ending injured reserve.
Just as the Giants’ line was starting to return to health, they were dealt a pair of season ending injuries last week against the Jaguars. Schwartz injured his ankle and Snyder injured his knee. It’s not all bad however, as Justin Pugh will likely return to the lineup and start at right tackle this week against Tennessee. This would put Weston Richberg back in the left guard spot and keep the always worthless John Jerry at right guard. Fun fact Jerry rolled up on Schwartz and ended his season. That's one way to keep your starting position. Schwartz is the headline here, he was the team’s big free agent addition and the team did not get much out of that investment. . While getting Pugh back is good news, this represents a small downgrade to the Giants’ line at this time.
AZ – RG Paul Fanaika could miss Week 14 with an ankle injury.
The Cardinals are dealing with two significant injuries along their offensive line. LT Jared Veldheer and RG Paul Fanaika both sprained their ankles last week. Neither player practiced on Wednesday but reading the tea leaves, Veldheer is far more likely to play this Sunday against Kansas City. Fanaika’s is called a “low ankle sprain” and for whatever reason, the coaches are implying it is more severe. In Fanaika’s place, Ted Larsen would likely slide over to right guard and last year’s first round pick Jonathan Cooper would get the start at left guard. When a team loses a starter, it’s rare that they have a top ten pick on the bench ready to step in. Cooper had a rough rookie season, and continued to look bad in preseason, but this could be an opportunity to live up to lofty draft status. This is an interesting situation and there’s no downgrade to the Cards’ line at this time. However if Cooper is still terrible, that would be a downgrade. We shall see what happens this weekend.
Other News:
KC - The Chiefs lost two starters to injury last week but LG Mike McGlynn and RT Ryan Harris are expected to start this week against Arizona. Should McGlynn not be able to go, Jeff Linkenbach would step in, and if Harris can’t go, Donald Stephenson would get the call. Both are above average depth options, and there is no downgrade to the line at this time.
DET – After missing the Thanksgiving clash, LT Riley Reiff is expected to return this week. Rookie Cornelius Lewis actually played really well in the spot start.
DEN - RT Louis Vasquez left the game last week but was able to return. Vasquez wasn't his usual self after the incident, and if he can't go, Paul Cornick would likely get his spot. In good news, Manny Ramirez appears to be picking his game up with the move from center to right guard.
CIN - The Bengals have signed Eric Winston and released Jamon Meredith. This is still fallout from Andre Smith's season ending injury. Marshall Newhouse continues to start but Winston could see snaps in Week 15.
PHI - Andrew Gardner has earned the praise of the coaching staff and appears to have locked down the right guard spot. Gardner had replaced Matt Tobin (concussion) who had replaced Todd Herremans several weeks ago.
NYJ - Finally, a quick word about the 1940's offense on display on Monday Night Football. The Jets rushed for 277 yards, and the other team knew it was coming. There are some who look at the record, and believe the Jets offensive line is terrible. That's not true. The QB's are terrible. The line, led by Nick Mangold, is actually playing their collective rears' off. They are the second best rushing attack in the league. Sure, the offense is a tire-fire, and the team is a constant embarassment to their fans, but there's something to be said for that kind of old school offensive line effort.
As usual, if you have a question about a team not specifically talked about in this article, please feel free to contact me via twitter or in the Shark Pool.
