The Rocky Mountains haven’t been kind to Jets offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker.
Vera-Tucker tore his Achilles during Sunday’s 31-21 victory over the Broncos in Denver and will miss the rest of the 2023 season, an MRI revealed Monday.
This is the second consecutive year Vera-Tucker was lost for the season due to an injury in Denver. Last year, Vera-Tucker suffered a season-ending triceps tear in a victory against the Broncos.
“It’s the second year in a row,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “We are all kind of surprised, as he played on it, he walked off on his own power, he walked to the locker room on his own power. We were pretty optimistic that part of it was going to be OK.
“It’s a blow. I feel bad for him. He battled his way back this offseason from the injury a year ago and to have this happen again, it is just unfortunate.”
Vera-Tucker, who started at right tackle, exited the game right before halftime with what was called a calf injury at the time. After the game, Saleh said Vera-Tucker’s injury was “a concern.”
Max Mitchell, who started five games at right tackle last season, replaced Vera-Tucker for the rest of the game. As for who will start at right tackle this Sunday against the Eagles, Saleh said he will keep that to himself.
“We will keep that one close to the vest for the week,” Saleh said. “We have our options in-house.”
This is the second significant injury on the Jets offensive line through five games. After their Week 2 loss to the Cowboys, left tackle Duane Brown was placed on injured reserve because of a hip injury.
That caused Gang Green to reshuffle its offensive line quite a bit. Mekhi Becton, who had been starting at right tackle, replaced Brown at left tackle. Then Vera-Tucker slid over from right guard to right tackle and rookie Joe Tippmann took over Vera-Tucker’s spot at right guard.
Brown is eligible to come off injured reserve after the Jets’ bye week and before their Oct. 29 game against the Giants. Gang Green will have the option then of moving Becton back to right tackle and inserting Brown back at left tackle.
“We will see,” Saleh said about Brown returning. “We will take it week to week. We will talk about that once we cross that bridge.”
Losing Vera-Tucker is significant, as he is the Jets’ best offensive lineman. During his three seasons, Vera-Tucker has played every position on the line except center.
Last week, Saleh told reporters he spoke to Vera-Tucker about permanently keeping him at right tackle after his performance.
The Jets could now make a move before the Oct. 31 trading deadline. At 2-3, the Jets still have some hope to make the playoffs even after the loss of quarterback Aaron Rodgers to an Achilles tear in Week 1 against the Bills.
On Sunday, defensive end Carl Lawson and wide receiver Mecole Hardman were surprisingly inactive against the Broncos, and both could be moved before the end of the month. Lawson dealt with a back issue toward the end of training camp and missed the season opener against Buffalo. Lawson has registered three tackles in three games, as Jermaine Johnson has replaced him as a starter on the defensive line.
Hardman was signed to a one-year, $4 million contract last offseason, but the Jets have used him sparingly. In four games, Hardman has one catch for six yards.
“From a D-line standpoint, someone has to be down,” Saleh said. “Especially when you’re missing a couple of corners. We needed more special teams help with [Brandin] Echols being out and you can’t dress 10 D-lineman every week. Somebody had to sit. Obviously, we wanted Will [McDonald] while providing the ability to pass rush on defense. He is also a vital part of our special teams unit.
“The same thing on the offensive side of the ball. Irv [Charles] made this team initially because of his special teams ability. It is just a matter of trying to get him up, especially as a gunner. When we lost Echols, we really, really needed a gunner opposite [Justin] Hardee and Irv showed it on that first punt, forcing that fumble. He’s an animal on [special] teams and a tremendous asset to this team.”
REED COULD BE CLEARED
Cornerback D.J. Reed, who missed the Broncos game after being placed in concussion protocol, could be cleared in time for Wednesday’s practice ahead of Sunday’s game against the 5-0 Eagles at MetLife Stadium.
“I think he has a hurdle to clear tomorrow,” Saleh said. “If he clears it, he should be good to go.”
Bryce Hall started in Reed’s place and had the biggest play of the afternoon. After linebacker Quincy Williams strip-sacked Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, Hall took the fumble 39 yards for a touchdown, putting the Jets up 31-21 with 29 seconds left.
Hall also registered four tackles against Denver. During his four seasons with the Jets, Hall has had a bit of a roller-coaster ride. He was once a starter in the secondary, but after the Jets acquired Reed and drafted Sauce Gardner, Hall became an afterthought.
However, he has made his mark on special teams the last two years after not receiving a ton of playing time in the secondary.
“It was a blessing,” Hall said about starting in place of Reed. “I was so grateful and I really learned to not take these moments for granted each and every time I step out on the field. I just want to give everything that I have.
“Glory to God in the process, and I’m grateful he gave me the opportunity to step on the field with this amazing group of guys. It was really special to be a part of that.”
