New York Jets offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker is out for the season with a torn Achilles suffered in New York’s 31-21 win against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, coach Robert Saleh announced Monday. Here’s what you need to know:
- This marks the second straight year Vera-Tucker has suffered a season-ending injury in a game against the Broncos in Denver. Last year, he suffered a triceps injury in Week 7.
- The third-year player had started all five games for New York, which is 2-3.
- The Jets also lost quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a torn Achilles in their first game of the season.
How this injury impacts the Jets
The 24-year-old Vera-Tucker again this year showed his value to the Jets when he moved to right tackle from right guard after Duane Brown suffered a hip injury, and he’d been playing well prior to going down against the Broncos. Saleh had even alluded to playing him at right tackle permanently since it had been going so well. Now the Jets have to adjust to another injury to Vera-Tucker, a 2021 first-round draft pick.
The Jets will likely turn to Billy Turner or Max Mitchell at right tackle for the time being. Brown will be eligible to come off injured reserve in a couple of weeks, though he’s only ever played left tackle. Mekhi Becton has filled his job there after moving over from right tackle following Brown’s injury. — Zack Rosenblatt, New York Jets writer
Required reading
(Photo: Steven Ryan / Getty Images)
