A quarterly re-rank is right around the corner (after next week) but prior to that, here are the important offensive line updates through three weeks of regular season.
MIN: RG Brandon Fusco injured pectoral; LT Matt Kalil still floundering
Fantasy players already know all about the woes of the Vikings’ backfield, it’s time to talk about the problems with their line. At right guard, it’s not entirely clear exactly what is wrong with Brandon Fusco. The early reports had it as a shoulder injury during the game. However after the fog lifted, later reports announced that Fusco suffered an injury to his pectoral. While the severity is unknown, it is serious enough for him to seek a second opinion. Without knowing all the details, it still seems like a safe bet that Fusco will miss multiple weeks, possibly the season. UPDATE 9/24: Fusco has been placed on injured reserve and will miss the entire season. In his place, Vlad Ducasse looked unsteady. Ducasse entered the game and promptly was called for two penalties, holding and a false start. Although the team does have David Yankey on the bench, Ducasse signed for decent money in the offseason and will likely continue to substitute for Fusco. Of further concern is the play of left tackle Matt Kalil, who was beaten for several sacks through the first three games. This doesn't appear to be a physical problem, more like a slump, that the team hopes he play through and find his form. The team has been giving Kalil running back and tight end help, and he still is not doing a good job. The team doesn’t have any better option at this time and the line in general is suffering.
PHI: C Jason Kelce goes under the knife
Last season, the Eagles started all five players at the same spots, for seventeen games straight. This year, the team is 3-0 but the offensive line has been shuffling like crazy. Already without All-Pro left guard Evan Mathis, the Eagles lost ascending center Jason Kelce to a sports hernia in last week’s game against Washington. Kelce could be placed on the injured reserve designated to return list, as his recovery is slated to take around two months. In the place of Kelce, David Molk will start. Molk is a decent backup but is undersized and has not proven himself as a starter in the league at this time. Matt Tobin has returned to health, and will likely displace Andrew Gardner back to the bench. Jason Peters was ejected for fighting last week but will be back in the lineup in week four. With one week remaining on Lane Johnson’s suspension, the team could trot out a unit of Jason Peters –Matt Tobin – David Molk – Dennis Kelly and Todd Herremans. Needless to say this is a significant downgrade for this unit, who go from being an elite squad prior to the season, to a mid-tier line currently. Their matchup on the road against the 49ers defense is not a favorable one. These widespread changes should negatively affect the production of both the run and the pass game.
BAL: LT Eugene Monroe Also goes under the knife (Update 9/24)
Monroe was injured in the win over the Browns, but was able to gut it out on game day. This week, Monroe had arthroscopic knee surgery. Unlike the operation which Jason Kelce underwent, this was not a major procedure. Still, Monroe is expected to "be out some number of weeks," according to head coach John Harbaugh. While some have speculated that left guard Kelechi Osemele would flex out to tackle (and that might still be another option) undrafted rookie James Hurst is likely to start for Monroe. Hurst is a player whom the Ravens organization have expressed considerable faith. Out of North Carolina, Hurst was considered a relatively good prospect before breaking his leg in the bowl game. Prior to this injury, Hurst had a money making performance against Jadeveon Clowney and reportedly had 18 offers after the draft, so he is not without talent. Hurst was active against the Browns and is currently listed as the team's swing tackle. For those reasons, and the fact that Monroe should be back in action relatively quickly, there will not a major downgrade on the Ravens line at this time. Still this is certainly a situation to watch going forward.
JAC: C Luke Bowanko in for JACQUES McClendon, RT Austin Pasztor still returning to health
With Jacques McClendon struggling, the team promoted rookie sixth round pick Luke Bowanko to the starting center position prior to the game against Indianapolis. While head coach Gus Bradley said that Bowanko played solidly (and this can be seen in the improvement in the running game), the pass protection is still a work in progress. The Jaguars line gave up four sacks in last week’s game. That sounds awful but it’s actually a huge improvement from the ten saks they allowed against Washington. A big part of the line’s struggles is at the right tackle position, where starter Austin Pasztor has been recovering from a broken hand. In his place, Sam Young replaced Cameron Bradfield (who the team cut last week). Young was somewhat less of a liability than Bradford but the team is likely to start Pasztor this week against San Diego. Pasztor has been practicing with a padded cast and should be ready for action.
BUF: Uncertainty at guard, could Cyril Richardson make his debut in Houston?
Left guard Chris Williams left the game against San Diego with a back injury. Williams has been fighting this injury throughout the summer and it has been a chronic issue throughout this season. Williams was replaced by Kraig Urbik during the game (and Urbik did ok). However the team would rather play rookie Cyril Richardson, who subbed in for Williams in the preseason but was inactive for last week’s contest. Richardson is a solid fifth round pick who fits the mold of strong and bulky lineman that the Bills have favored recently. This week would be a serious test for the rookie however, as J.J. Watt and the Houston defense will be a tough road challenge for this Bills offensive line. Should he rise to the challenge, this is the type of trial by fire that could set Cyril Richardson up as the starter for the rest of the season. The Bills line, already considered one of the league’s weaker units in the rankings, is likely not going to be downgraded very far because of this news, but be aware of this matchup when setting your line-ups.
NO: C Jonathan Goodwin suffered a high ankle sprain
After starting the year strongly, center Jonathan Goodwin injured his ankle last week against Minnesota. Goodwin was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss multiple weeks. Tim Lelito replaced Goodwin during the game and did a decent job. Overall this isn’t terrible news for the Saints, as Lelito and Goodwin had a fierce battle for the job during preseason. Lelito isn’t a former Pro Bowler like Goodwin (which is probably why he lost the job) but he is a young up-and-coming player, who should be a starter in the league in the future. No downgrade to the New Orleans line at this time.
WAS: LG Shawn Lauvao Injured his knee, status questionable (Update 9/24)
Faced with a quick turnaround prior to Thursday night football, Washington could be without starting guard Shawn Lauvao. Lauvao is questionable and is reportedly dealing with knee swelling. Should he not be ready to go, Josh LeRibeus would likely get his first NFL start. LeRibeus had a real competition with Lauvao in preseason and did see action last week against Philadelphia, where he looked decent. The contract extension LeRibeus signed in the offseason appears to confirm that the team has faith in this player. No downgrade to the Washington line at this time.
NYG, IND, and SEA, some assorted good news
Seattle left tackle Russell Okung missed four snaps against Denver with a minor shoulder injury. Okung was replaced by Alvin Bailey. Okung quickly returned to the game and told reporters after the contest that he was fine. No downgrade to the Seattle line at this time.
In Indianapolis, A.Q. Shipley has been among the league’s better centers since the season has started, and he will likely keep the job, even after Khalid Holmes returns to health. When a veteran player like this gets cut and then ends up a starter, it’s an upgrade for the team that took the chance.
New York Giants’ right tackle Justin Pugh told the post-game press that the Houston defensive line “tapped out” as the afternoon progressed. Some strong words from an ascending player. The Giants’ unit did in fact bounce-back during week three, and could be in line for an upgrade in the next rankings.
