On Monday, Alijah Vera-Tucker spoke to the media about being named one of the Jets’ team captains.
By Wednesday, his season was in jeopardy. Vera-Tucker suffered a potentially serious arm injury and could miss significant time, league sources told The Athletic.
Vera-Tucker is a crucial piece of what the Jets anticipate being a strength of their offense — the offensive line, something the organization has struggled to cultivate for many years. It would be fair to call Vera-Tucker the best player on the line’s projected starting five. He was a standout in camp, dominant in the run game and appeared to be finally fully healthy, playing 15 games last year after having consecutive seasons lost to injury in 2022 and 2023.
Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker has suffered a potentially serious injury and could miss significant time, source says.
New York’s offensive line takes a hit ahead of its Week 1 game against the Steelers. Vera-Tucker was just named a captain for Aaron Glenn. pic.twitter.com/HZYx0DCF8z
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) September 3, 2025
Vera-Tucker, 26, was playing on his fifth-year option, part of his rookie contract after the Jets traded up to draft him in the first round in 2022 — and he was likely headed for a significant payday this offseason, either from the Jets or from another team if they let him hit free agency. Head coach Aaron Glenn said during training camp that he’d like Vera-Tucker to be with the franchise long term.
If Vera-Tucker misses significant time, it would be a huge blow to the Jets’ offensive line — though they do have the pieces to still field an adequate line, albeit while taking a hit to their depth. Center Joe Tippmann would likely slide over to right guard, and veteran Josh Myers — signed this offseason — would slot in as the starting center. Myers and Tippmann were competing to start at center this summer, though that competition is likely nullified by this injury news.
The Jets practiced Tuesday; Vera-Tucker spoke with the media Monday, a few days after he was named one of six captains.
“I told the guys I really appreciate them for voting me as a captain,” Vera-Tucker said. “That’s special to me, especially when it’s the team voting for you … it’s the best feeling. I’m grateful for it.”
(Photo: Vincent Carchietta / Imagn Images)
