With Week 11 in the books, we are only one week away from a full quarterly re-ranking of all the offensive lines. In the meantime, here are the latest injury (and other notable) news from the league’s blockers.
SEA – C Max Unger to miss a month with a high-ankle sprain.
The Seahawks will be missing a key part of their offense as former Pro Bowl center Max Unger is likely to be out “three to four weeks” with a “knee and ankle sprain.” Unger missed several weeks this season with a foot injury, and the team really struggled in his absence. Patrick Lewis, his replacement, is actually the team’s third string center, as Stephen Schilling was placed on injured reserve several weeks ago. Lewis is young and a decent enough as a prospect but with only one game started in his short career, could be overmatched against the Cardinals aggressive defensive front this weekend. The team seems aware of this fact, and has re-signed Lemuel Jeanpierre. Jeanpierre played a ton for the team last year and could get the start this weekend. It’s not all bad news for the Seahawks however, as former first round pick James Carpenter is likely to return to the lineup. Carpenter had missed the last two contests with an ankle injury. However the bad news of missing Unger far outweighs the good news of getting Carpenter back. Fantasy players should be aware that the Seahawks could see lesser production, especially in the running attack, without Unger in the next few weeks.
WAS – LT Trent Williams (knee, ankle) likely out this weekend.
Washington played most of last week’s loss to Tampa Bay without Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams. Williams’ injury is being reported by the coaching staff as both a knee (MCL) and ankle sprain. Williams has a history of playing hurt but this latest incident will likely be too much for him to overcome this week. Williams is the best lineman on the team, by far, and his replacement (Morgan Moses) struggled last weekend. Moses was a left tackle last year at Virginia, but is probably more of a right tackle in the pros. In further bad news, left guard Shaun Lauvao is going through the league’s concussion protocol. If he cannot go, Josh LeRibeus would get the start. Lauvao is probably a coin flip to play. Obviously, the loss of the entire left side starters would be a ton of bad news for Washington’s skill positions, with a fierce assignment looming at San Francisco.
NO – RT Zach Streif undergoing concussion protocol.
Last week against Cincinnati, Zach Streif suffered a concussion during the game. Swing tackle Bryce Harris filled in and was abused several times in pass protection by Carlos Dunlap. The team hopes that Streif will progress through the league’s protocol quickly. If he doesn’t, Harris will probably go again, and the team could activate Nic Becton, who has been game-day inactive for several weeks. If I had to predict an outcome, I would bet on Streif getting healthy in time for the game. For whatever reason, it seems like the offensive linemen make it through the protocol faster than other positions.
CAR – RT Nate Chandler out for the year.
Please note that Carolina is on a bye this week so this is really an update for Week 13. Starting right tackle Nate Chandler has been placed on injured reserve with a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee. Chandler has not been doing an outstanding job but he is better than the backups at the position. Chris Scott, who is technically listed on the roster as a guard, replaced him during last week’s contest against Atlanta. Going forward it is unclear who the replacement will be. It could be Scott, Mike Remmers, Amini Silatolu, or the infamous David Foucault. It is a good thing that the team has a bye week to sort it out.
Other News
SF - RT Anthony Davis is going through the league's concussion protocol. If he is unable to go, Jonathan Martin would get the nod. Martin has proved himself to be a capable backup this season.
NYG - RT Justin Pugh left game with quad but he has told reporters that “the plan” is for him to play this weekend. In other news, Geoff Schwartz was activated off the IR-DFR spot, and is likely to start at his traditional left guard position. This would put Weston Richburg over at right guard and John Jerry to the bench.
PHI - RG Matt Tobin (in for Todd Herremans) is not playing well. Tobin was beat early in last week's contest at Green Bay and allowed Mark Sanchez to take a full helmet to helmet hit from Letroy Guion. Tobin's unsteady play is effecting his neighbors, Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson. It’s unclear how this situation can improve. Tobin isn’t getting better and the team doesn’t appear to be close to benching him any time soon. If they did, Andrew Gardner would likely be the next option.
11/20 UPDATE: It was announced Matt Tobin is going through the league's concussion protocol. If he is not available, Andrew Gardner will get the start. Any change might be positive in this situation.
CHI – Last week, C Brian de la Puente played for Jordan Mills (ribs) at LG. Brian de la Puente did fine. Meanwhile, Mills is having a down year and could be on the outs in Chicago.
