Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker suffers arm injury ahead of season opener: source

Antwan Staley, New York Daily News on Sep 3, 2025

Published in Football

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NEW YORK — The injury bug has hit the Jets ahead of the 2025 season.

Jets right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker has an arm injury, which could put his season in jeopardy, sources confirmed to the New York Daily News.

He is receiving a second opinion on the injury, but there is a possibility that Vera-Tucker could need surgery, ESPN reported.

If Vera-Tucker misses time, that would significantly affect the Jets’ offense. He is arguably their best offensive lineman and their most versatile. During his previous four seasons, Vera-Tucker has played at every offensive line position except center.

The Jets did not have practice or media availability on Wednesday.

Center Joe Tippmann would likely be a candidate to move to right guard, given his flexibility, and Josh Myers would start at center. Tippmann started four games at guard during his rookie season in 2023. The Jets signed Myers to a one-year contract during the offseason.

During the summer, Tippmann and Myers were engaged in a center competition. On the Jets’ first depth chart, it has Tippmann or Myers listed as the starting center.

The Jets are also expected to be a run-heavy team this season under first-year coach Aaron Glenn. That is a major shift from the 2024 season, where they had the fewest rush attempts in the league. Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand want to build a tough, physical offense around their strengths on the offensive line and quarterback Justin Fields‘ ability to scramble in and out of the pocket.

Vera-Tucker, 26, is also entering the final season of his rookie contract. The Jets selected him in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, and he has started 43 games over four seasons.

Durability has been an issue for Vera-Tucker. He missed 10 games in 2022 because of a torn triceps and 12 games in 2023 after tearing his Achilles tendon — both injuries occurring against the Denver Broncos.

Vera-Tucker was recently voted as one of the Jets’ captains for the first time in his career by his teammates.

“It was a really cool feeling,” he said on Monday. “I told the guys that I really appreciate them voting me as a captain. That’s special to me, especially when it is your teammates voting for you.

“Being able to be captain now and all three levels of my playing career, it is the best feeling and I’m grateful for it.”

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