David Chao, MD
2 min read • August 18, 2024
Posted in
With the NFL season rapidly approaching, our team at Sports Injury Central has you covered with all the injury insights you need when deciding which players to target or avoid in all formats of Fantasy Football.
This is a preview of our 2024 NFL Preseason Injury Guide, which will feature detailed injury insights, data, and SIC Health Scores for all 32 teams. Sign up for our newsletter to receive more previews and free injury-based picks for the 2024 NFL season as they are released.
Here’s a closer look at some of the offensive line units to keep an eye on this year.
Jedrick Wills Jr. - SIC Score: 92
Jedrick Wills Jr. underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on December 12th after sustaining an injury on November 7th, which placed him on injured reserve. He is expected to be back at left tackle for the final year of his contract.
Jack Conklin - SIC Score: 91
Jack Conklin's knee was rolled up on in Week 1, resulting in injuries to his MCL and ACL, which ended his season. He is expected to be a starter on the Browns' offensive line, replacing Dawand Jones, who filled in admirably during Conklin’s absence last season.
Dawand Jones - SIC Score: 94
Dawand Jones suffered a torn MCL on December 15th, which required surgery and ended his season. He effectively filled in for Jack Conklin, allowing just 21 pressures and 3 sacks in 391 passing snaps before his injury. Although not expected to start over Jack Conklin (if healthy), Jones should be an interchangeable part of the Browns' offensive line should injuries occur throughout the season.
Trent Brown - SIC Score: 86
Trent Brown played for New England last season. He sustained a concussion in Week 1 and a chest injury in Week 5 but suited up despite the designation. Brown is a possible candidate to be cut from the Bengals during the preseason, as they spent draft capital on former Georgia Bulldog RT Amarius Mims, drafting him in the first round. Brown has a tendency to get injured and hasn’t played at a high level for multiple years. He has a chance to start over in an elite offense, but there are doubts he can last a full season. On August 15th, Brown aggravated a back ailment during practice, had to miss the rest of the day, and was replaced by Cody Ford.
Amarius Mims - SIC Score: 79
Amarius Mims will be out several weeks after injuring his pectoral muscle in the preseason game against the Buccaneers on August 10th, 2024. Mims might be out "more than two and fewer than many" weeks, according to Bengals coach Zac Taylor. While he doesn’t have a history with a pectoral injury, he has had concerns with injuries in the past, making just eight starts for UGA’s offensive line and missing seven games last season for the Bulldogs with a left ankle sprain. He also pulled his hamstring at the NFL Combine.
Alaric Jackson - SIC Score: 94
Alaric Jackson missed Week 4 with a hamstring injury and Week 16 with a thigh injury but was otherwise healthy for the rest of the season. Initially shifting from left tackle to right guard, Jackson is expected to be back as the team's starting left tackle this season, having proven effective in that position. Jackson "tweaked" an ankle in practice on July 29, 2024, but according to head coach Sean McVay, the injury is not expected to be serious and should not be an issue.
Rob Havenstein - SIC Score: 92
The longest-tenured Ram, Rob Havenstein, started 14 games last season and was a highly graded run blocker for LA. Although he dealt with a calf injury in late October and early November, he was otherwise healthy and will be the team's starting right tackle. Rob Havenstein rolled an ankle in practice on August 7th and is currently considered week-to-week.
Jonah Jackson - SIC Score: 90
Jackson will miss the entire preseason with a bruised scapula. Per reports, there’s a chance he might be ready for Week 1, and his current status, per head coach Sean McVay, is week-to-week. In 2023, Jackson appeared in 12 games with 12 starts for the Lions at left guard. He sits atop the depth chart at the left guard position for the Rams.
Kolton Miller - SIC Score: 91
Kolton Miller, who is on the active/PUP list, is expected to be sidelined for a few more weeks as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery. He has been working on the side with the Raiders' training staff at the start of camp. Miller dealt with a shoulder injury towards the end of last season, which was addressed with surgery. He is expected to return soon and be ready for Week 1.
Jackson Powers-Johnson - SIC Score: 92
Jackson Powers-Johnson also has a shoulder issue and started on the team’s PUP list. He suffered the injury during rookie minicamp and is still unable to participate, which has caused some concern. He was playing snaps at left guard but is currently listed as the starting right guard on the depth chart. Powers-Johnson was activated off the team’s PUP list on August 14th but is only practicing in a limited capacity leading up to the team’s first preseason game.
Cole Strange - SIC Score: 62
Cole Strange suffered a torn patellar tendon late in the season in Week 15, ending his year. He is currently on the Patriots' PUP list and is expected to miss the start of the season. He may not be ready until after the midway point of the season.
Jake Andrews - SIC Score: 5
Jake Andrews had a healthy rookie season at center for New England, missing only one game and primarily playing special teams snaps. He is currently on the Patriots' PUP list with an undisclosed injury and is eligible to practice at any time. Andrews is listed as the starting center on the depth chart ahead of David Andrews, who played every snap of New England’s offense last season, so there may be a competition for the starting position. The Patriots placed Andrews on Injured Reserve, effectively ending his season. It is still unknown why Andrews has been given the IR designation unless he is released via injury settlement.
Andrew Thomas - SIC Score: 92
Despite missing seven games in 2023 due to a hamstring injury and battling a late-season knee issue, Andrew Thomas managed a solid season, allowing only 4 sacks. With Thomas at full strength, the Giants' left tackle position is secure, providing quarterbacks with reliable pass protection.
John Michael Schmitz - SIC Score: 81
John Michael Schmitz missed three games last season with a shoulder injury. At the start of training camp for this season, a shoulder injury has again kept him out of practice as of July 29, 2024. The severity of the shoulder injury is currently unknown. Once he returns to full health, Schmitz is expected to be the starting center for New York.
Jon Runyan - SIC Score: 95
Jon Runyan played a fully healthy season last year in Green Bay. He had a neck issue that landed him on the injury report on November 10, 2023, but he missed no time. Runyan will be a welcome addition to the Giants' offensive line and should help fortify protection for Daniel Jones, which was an offseason priority for New York.
Evan Neal - SIC Score: 89
Evan Neal suffered an ankle sprain in Week 3 that lingered throughout the season, ultimately ending his season in Week 10 and requiring offseason ankle surgery. Neal is currently on the PUP list as he recovers from offseason surgery but is expected to be the starting RT for Week 1. The hope is that he can maintain his health moving forward. Evan Neal was activated off the team’s PUP list on August 11th and has begun ramping up to be ready for the start of the season.
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Written by David Chao, MD
