The New York Jets were dealt a major blow just days before the start of the 2025 NFL season, as starting right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker suffered what is being described as a potentially significant arm injury during Tuesday’s practice. The injury is reportedly serious enough that surgery is being considered, and this could ultimately end Vera-Tucker’s season before it even starts. He is reportedly seeking a second opinion, but when news like this surfaces and every outlet is reporting that surgery is likely, all you can do is hope for the best.
Alijah Vera-Tucker Injured: What Does This Mean For Him and The 2025 Jets
Injury Prone Label?
This marks the third time in four seasons that Vera-Tucker has faced a major injury. In 2022, he tore his triceps and missed the final 10 games of the season. In 2023, his year was again cut short after suffering a torn Achilles in Week 5. He made a successful return in 2024, starting 15 games and reestablishing himself as a cornerstone of the Jets’ offensive line. Given his injury history, it’s fair to question whether he’s becoming injury-prone. His long-term trajectory is also now in question, with repeated injuries stunting his growth as a player. It’s becoming increasingly clear that the Jets can’t rely on him to stay healthy for a full season.
Jets’ and Vera-Tucker’s Outlook On The Situation
The timing of this injury couldn’t be worse — both for the Jets and for Vera-Tucker himself. From the Jets’ standpoint, Week 1 is here, and they’re already being forced to dip into their depth. Depth is important, but losing someone of Vera-Tucker’s ability is a significant loss. He was, after all, named a team captain. His leadership and play will be sorely missed.
For Vera-Tucker, the timing is equally unfortunate. He’s playing on his fifth-year option, with his contract expiring at the end of the season. Things had been aligning well for him — he meshed with the new coaching staff and had a healthy 2024 campaign. Now, another injury-plagued season might force the Jets’ hand when it comes to deciding whether or not to re-sign him. His upcoming free agency has suddenly become much murkier than expected.
From a roster standpoint, the Jets will now be forced to make critical adjustments along the offensive line. There are a few directions they could go, but none of the options come close to replacing what Vera-Tucker brings. One possibility is sliding Joe Tippmann from center to guard and starting Josh Myers — Justin Fields’ former teammate at Ohio State — at center. Another option is Xavier Newman, who is currently listed as the backup at right guard. The team could also consider moving Max Mitchell from tackle to guard. The final decision will come down to the coaching staff and what they feel fits best in terms of play style and unit cohesion.
For Vera-Tucker, this is yet another cruel twist in what has otherwise been a promising but injury-riddled career. When healthy, he’s been one of the most versatile and effective linemen in the league, capable of playing multiple positions with a high level of consistency. But three major injuries in four seasons raise serious long-term concerns. His toughness and work ethic have never been questioned, but his ability to stay on the field has become his biggest obstacle.
Offensive Line Cohesion
One under-discussed aspect of this injury is the leadership void it creates. Vera-Tucker has grown tremendously over his five years in the league. Despite still being relatively young, he’s one of the veterans on the Jets’ offensive line. With Olu Fashanu switching from right tackle to left tackle, having Vera-Tucker beside him would have helped ease that transition. Additionally, rookie Armand Membou, who is stepping into a starting role, likely looked up to Vera-Tucker for guidance. The offensive line’s continuity has taken a serious hit, and how quickly the unit can come together will be crucial to the Jets’ success this season.
The Jets now enter the 2025 campaign not only facing uncertainty at a key position but also carrying the emotional weight of losing one of their most respected teammates. As they prepare to take the field in Week 1, all eyes will be on how the offensive line adapts — and whether Vera-Tucker’s latest setback will once again become a season-defining moment for a franchise still chasing its first playoff berth in over a decade.
Main Image: John Jones-Imagn Images
