Alijah Vera-Tucker injury update: Report reveals severity of issue for New York Jets OL

The New York Jets fear that right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker suffered a season-ending torn tricep, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Vera-Tucker will get a second opinion to determine if surgery is necessary.

Vera-Tucker, 26, went down with the same season-ending injury in 2022, albeit in his opposite arm from this latest tricep injury. The injury occurred Tuesday and obviously, comes at an unfortunate time with Week 1 getting underway this Sunday.

Vera-Tucker, New York’s 2021 first-round selection out of USC, has missed significant time throughout his NFL career. He played in just 12 games combined in 2022 and 2023, though he rebounded to play in 15 games this past season. Vera-Tucker had his best season to date in 2024 and was looking to build off that this season — the final year of his rookie deal. He is making a guaranteed $15.3 million under his fifth-year option.

Alijah Vera-Tucker to be sidelined with a second tricep injury

Head coach Aaron Glenn said in July he was hopeful the Jets could sign Vera-Tucker to an extension: “Man, he is a great player, and hopefully at some point we can start to talk and try to get something done. I mean, he is one of those guards that can do a lot as far as run off the ball [and] as far as pass protect. He is a big, strong man that has been critical to how we want to play offensive football. Absolutely, he is one of those guys.”

With Vera-Tucker set to be sidelined, the Jets will have to reshuffle their offensive line. Center Joe Tippman has played right guard in the past and could slide over. First-year Jet Josh Myers has experience playing center for the Green Bay Packers. Vera-Tucker’s teammates voted him a captain earlier this week.

“I told the guys I really appreciate them for voting me as a captain,” Vera-Tucker said Monday. “That’s special to me, especially when it’s the team voting for you… it’s the best feeling. I’m grateful for it.”