The 2025 season hasn’t started yet, but the New York Jets are already facing some potential misfortune.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker is feared to have suffered a season-ending torn triceps during Tuesday’s practice. Schefter added that Vera-Tucker will seek a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini first reported that Vera-Tucker suffered “a potentially serious injury” and could miss “significant time.”
Vera-Tucker was named one of the Jets’ three offensive captains for the 2025 season, his first time earning the title in his NFL career. He called it “special” to be voted a captain by his teammates, and he was expected to bring more leadership to New York in the team’s first year under head coach Aaron Glenn.
The Jets selected Vera-Tucker with the 14th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. He quickly emerged as one of the best offensive linemen on the team thanks to his versatility, which allowed him to switch between guard and tackle when needed. Unfortunately, injuries have stopped him from reaching his full potential.
Vera-Tucker was limited to seven games in 2022 after suffering a torn triceps, and his 2023 campaign was cut short after five games when he suffered a torn Achilles. He had a healthy 2024 season, starting 15 games and playing in 97 percent of New York’s offensive snaps, per Pro Football Reference. The 2025 season is the final year of his current contract, and ESPN’s Rich Cimini noted that he appeared to be “in line for a big [payday]” after having an “excellent” training camp.
The Jets offense is expected to be predicated on the run game this year with starting quarterback Justin Fields leading the way along with the talented running back trio of Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. Losing Vera-Tucker would be a major blow for an offensive line that will be counted on to create space in the rushing attack.
The Jets will open the 2025 season on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who feature one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL led by Pro Bowlers T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward.
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