Jets starter could miss significant time with injury

The New York Jets will likely be without one of their most important players in Week 1 and beyond.

Jets starting guard Alijah Vera-Tucker suffered an injury during practice and could miss significant time, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported on Wednesday.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds that it is an arm injury, and Vera-Tucker is gathering opinions on whether he needs to undergo surgery.

The Jets drafted Vera-Tucker with the 14th overall pick in 2021. The former USC star became a starter early on in his rookie year and has been a full-time starter since when healthy. Vera-Tucker started 15 games at right guard for New York last season.

The offensive line has been viewed as a strength for the Jets heading into the 2025 season. They drafted former Missouri star Armand Membou with the seventh overall pick, and he was entering the year as the starting right tackle alongside Vera-Tucker. Olu Fashanu, who was drafted 11th overall last year, is starting at left tackle.

While the Jets still have plenty of talent along their O-line, losing Vera-Tucker for an extended period would be a major blow to both their running game and Justin Fields’ protection.