The New York Jets' offensive line has reportedly been dealt a tough blow before Week 1.
According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, who was just named a captain, has "suffered a potentially serious injury and could miss significant time."
ESPN's Adam Schefter adds that it's an arm injury. Vera-Tucker is going to get a second opinion and might need surgery.
This is just the latest blow for Vera-Tucker's career, which has been marred by injury after he missed significant time in 2022 and 2023. The former first-round pick is in the final year of his rookie deal, also.
This creates an even bigger mess for the Jets, who already have an injury concern with veteran guard John Simpson.
Fourth-year lineman Xavier Newman is listed as the top backup at both guard spots, so he could certainly factor into the equation in Week 1.
Newman has appeared in 20 games during his career, starting in five. He played in nine games for the Jets in 2024 but only played 11 snaps on offense. Newman did not surrender a pressure or sack in those 11 snaps and had Pro Football Focus grades of 68.6 overall, 64.2 in pass-blocking and 66.0 in run-blocking.
The Jets could also choose to move Joe Tippmann to guard and deploy backup Josh Myers in his place. If Simpson doesn't play on Sunday, we could be looking at a starting interior of Tippmann, Myers and Newman.
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