The New York Jets' best offensive lineman might be out to start the 2025 season.
Alijah Vera-Tucker suffered a potentially serious upper-body injury and could miss some significant time this season, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday, per sources informed of the situation. Vera-Tucker is undergoing more tests.
The Athletic first reported the news.
The news is a potentially devastating blow to the New York Jets' front, which drafted right tackle Armand Membou in the first round to play next to AVT. Now, the veteran presence might not be there for the rookie.
Vera-Tucker is coming off his best season, playing 15 games and looking fully healthy for the first time since his rookie campaign in 2021. Alas, a player who entered the NFL with injury concerns continues to be hampered by them. The guard missed 22 games over the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Now, he's in line to potentially miss another chunk in 2025.
AVT is a stud, but simply hasn't been able to stay on the field consistently.
The injury comes at a particularly bad time for AVT as well. The guard was reportedly having an impressive camp and could have been in line for his first Pro Bowl bid as he enters free agency in 2026. NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal ranked Vera-Tucker as the No. 8 pending free agent for next offseason. Now the prospects of a payday are dented.
Depending on how long Vera-Tucker's out, the injury could completely shuffle the Jets' plan along the line. Starting center Joe Tippmann could slide over to guard with backup Josh Myers becoming the first-string pivot.
The Jets face the Pittsburgh Steelers to open the season, a defense that boasts T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward and Alex Highsmith up front; rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon has been ruled out.
