New York Jets OL, former USC star Alijah Vera-Tucker out for season with triceps injury
More bad news of the New York Jets injury front came through Monday. 2021 first-rounder and starting offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker will miss the remainder of the season due to a tricep injury sustained in Sunday’s win over the Denver Broncos.
“It’s something we feared last night,” head coach Robert Saleh said during his Monday press conference. “It’s always tough, there’s two potential Pro Bowlers.”
The other – running back Breece Hall – another young player with superstar potential was also injured against the Broncos and was diagnosed with a torn ACL, effectively ending his rookie season.
Vera-Tucker has played right guard, left tackle and right tackle already this season. His versatility allows him to shift anywhere on the line, and will be a huge blow to the Jets rushing attack alongside Hall’s forced departure.
The former USC offensive lineman left Sunday’s game late in the first half of the 16-9 win over Denver. At the time, his injury was thought to be to his elbow, but has since been ruled as a tricep after an MRI. Cedric Ogbuehi will take over for AVT at right tackle, and he already has the support of the offensive line room in New York.
“It’s just a testament to the guys in this O-line room,” Jets center Connor McGovern said, via the team’s website. “Everybody wants to go out and play for each other, it doesn’t matter who it is. It’s a real testament to the coaches, to Cedric, who came in a couple of weeks ago. He came in and played a pretty good game. It’s not ideal, but there’s nothing we can do about it but take what’s given and make the most of it, winning games and rolling with punches as best we can.”
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Hall will finish the season with 463 rushing yards (eighth best in the league) on 80 carries for 5.8 yards per carry (10th). His four touchdowns on the ground – all coming in the last four games – are tied for seventh in the league at the time of his injury.
His rookie season shines light on a better future for the New York Jets’ rushing attack, and Hall has AVT, in part, to thank for his success. Moving throughout the line all season, the former USC star has helped clear the way for Hall on many occasions, and their services will be sorely missed throughout the rest of the year.