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With Week 6 in the books and Week 7 approaching, here are the notable offensive line developments from around the league. If you have a question about a team not listed, please contact me @draftdaddy on Twitter or in the Shark Pool.
CLE: C Alex Mack broke His leg.
In the week’s biggest news, the current top ranked offensive line in Cleveland suffered a massive setback when their All-Pro center Alex Mack fractured his left fibula last week against Pittsburgh. The team has not put Mack on the injured reserve yet, as they are holding out hope it was a clean break and he could return later in the year. With Mack out of the game, right guard John Greco slid over the center, and Paul McQuistan subbed in at guard. Both players were tested immediately by blitzes, and held up well. Obviously the line wasn’t an issue, as the team made short work of their opposition this weekend. However, this is a weak point going forward and teams will game plan around attacking this injury. For Cleveland, this represents a serious downgrade for their line, who will drop at least ten spots in the next rankings. UPDATE 10/17: Mack has been placed on IR. To take his place, Ryan Seymour was elevated from the practice squad.
DAL: RT Doug Free out with a foot sprain, could miss several weeks.
The Cowboys’ line has been a positive story through the first few weeks of this season. A bit of bad news has emerged with the injury of right tackle Doug Free. After leaving the game against the Seahawks, Free was diagnosed with a foot sprain, and will reportedly miss two to four weeks. In his place stepped Jermey Parnell. Parnell is not a bad player, known as a physical mauler at the point of attack, but he is not as consistent in pass protection as Free. Parnell comported himself well in the big road win over the Seahawks. This is a small downgrade to the Cowboys’ line and their passing attack, but the production of the running game could actually improve in the near term.
NYJ: LG Brian Winters tore his ACL.
Second year player Brian Winters has been lost for the year with a knee injury. Winters has not been an above average player this season, and his loss, while regrettable, could actually provide an opportunity for other players to step in and improve this position. Oday Aboushi challenged Winters this preseason for the spot, and some believe he should have won it. Aboushi replaced Winters during the game against Denver, and will likely start the rest of the way. Behind him, there is a fourth round pick Dakota Dozier who has not been active on game days, he could also get into the mix for playing time. In addition, the team signed recent Pittsburgh cast-off Wesley Johnson and he also could factor into the equation. Johnson, a fifth round rookie, has not suited up for any games this year, but he does have knowledge of the Steelers ' playbook. These teams play each other later in the season. Overall there is no downgrade to the Jets’ line at this time.
NE: LG Dan Connolly and C Bryan Stork dealing with concussions.
After righting the ship two weeks ago, and finding a group that worked against the Bengals, the Patriots are scrambling again this week to fill their lineup. Two key starters on the interior, Dan Connolly and Bryan Stork, are going through the league’s concussion protocol, with injuries suffered against Buffalo last week. Because there is a Thursday night game this week, it’s probable that neither player will play on a short week of rest. Neither player practiced on Wednesday. In their place are the usual suspects of Jordan Devey and Josh Kline, and that is definitely not good news against the Jets sack-happy defensive line. The Patriots' line was in the process of climbing out of the cellar of the rankings, but these setbacks will limit their rise back to respectability. Long term, these players should recover relatively quickly and the smart bet will have them both returning to the lineup after this game (given ten days of rest).
ATL: LT Jake Matthews is playing through an ankle injury
Jake Matthews has been dealing with an ankle sprain all year, and he reportedly tweaked it during the Week 5 contest. This injury has been hampering Matthews’ play, and he gave up several pressures against the Giants’ defensive line. This is the type of injury that will only get better with rest, and Matthews’ relative youth should also speed the process. In the short term, however, Matthews’ has a tough assignment this week against Elvis Dumervil and the Ravens’ defensive line. In other news, left guard Justin Blalock has rejoined the lineup after a back injury, but right tackle Gabe Carimi has been picked on in pass protection. Carimi, starting for the injured Lamar Holmes, allowed two hurries, two hits and two sacks against Chicago. Carimi also does not have a favorable matchup this week against Terrell Suggs.
SF: LG Mike Iupati reportedly suffered a concussion.
Mike Iupati missed the second half of the game against St. Louis with a concussion and has been reportedly going through the league’s protocol. It is not clear if Iupati will start this weekend against Denver. In his place, Joe Looney did an acceptable job last week and will be asked to step up again. The Niners have more offensive line depth than most teams and while it is far from idea, they should be able to live without this player for a week. In related news, right tackle Anthony Davis returned to practice after getting over his leg injury, and should be good for this weekend’s contest.
Other Notes
SEA: LT Russell Okung is playing with a torn labrum but will not miss time.
STL: LG Greg Robinson finally started a game, last week against San Francisco. Robinson excelled in run blocking.
BAL: The Ravens' line is still churning along, despite missing Eugene Monroe and Kelechi Osemele.
NYG: The Giants' line got crushed against Philadelphia. Some of the 8 total sacks were on the quarterback holding the ball, and the coverage, but be aware the line isn't playing well lately.
HOU: RG Brandon Brooks lost twelve pounds after dealing with a stomach bug. Tipping the scales over 330 pounds, Brooks had it to lose. Xavier S'ua-Filo took his place in the lineup last week but will likely return to the bench.
CHI: Team is hopeful that LT Jermon Bushrod will return to lineup soon. Michael Ola has been playing decently in his place. UPDATE 10/17: Bushrod is back at practice, as are Slauson, Garza and Mills. The Bears should start their whole line for the first time this season.
MIN: The mystery of what's wrong with LT Matt Kalil continues. Someone on the internet broke down all sorts of gifs in an attempt to figure it out, and the evidence could point to an undisclosed injury.
