On the eve of the Jets season opener against the Steelers Sunday at MetLife Stadium, which is being billed as a new beginning under first-year head coach Aaron Glenn, the team has been dealt a debilitating blow.
Alijah Vera-Tucker, the Jets starting right guard, has reportedly suffered a significant arm injury and is facing the possibility of undergoing surgery that could end his season before it begins.
One report has Vera-Tucker seeking a second opinion to see if he can avoid surgery.
The nature of the injury and to which arm it occurred is unknown. There is no media availability on Wednesday with the players not practicing. So, Glenn, nor any other team officials, were available for comment.
But the injury must have taken place during Tuesday’s practice, because Vera-Tucker was taking part in team drills during the period the practice was open to the media.
He was not present in the locker room after practice during the 45-minute period that’s open to the media, which is somewhat of a rarity for Vera-Tucker.
This is the latest blow to Vera-Tucker’s promising career, which was interrupted by a season-ending torn triceps in 2022 and by a torn Achille the following season.
Vera-Tucker, in his fifth season, was an immediate starter in his rookie year after being drafted 14th overall, playing in 16 games.
Last season he started 15 of 17 games, missing Week 8 and 9 with an ankle sprain.
This injury is a killer for the Jets, who’ve made it no secret that their offensive mantra is running the ball this season.
That also means protecting new quarterback Justin Fields, who’s not known for his throwing prowess and has a reputation for holding onto the ball too long.
The likely shift on the line in Vera-Tucker’s absence will be moving incumbent center Joe Tippmann to right guard and starting Josh Myers, who was competing with Tippmann, at center.
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