Alijah Vera-Tucker Injury Update: NY Jets OL exits with another lower-leg injury

The NY Jets are currently embroiled in a tight battle with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football in what, for all intents and purposes, is a must-win game. Now, they might be down their best offensive lineman.

Starting right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker exited the game with what the Jets are calling an ankle injury in the middle of the second quarter. It's unclear exactly when Vera-Tucker suffered the injury, but he was replaced late in the first half by backup guard Xavier Newman.

Vera-Tucker was seen walking with trainers to the locker room under his own power midway through the second quarter. The Jets have listed him as questionable to return with an ankle injury and have not provided any other updates at this time.

Given Vera-Tucker's injury history, particularly with his lower leg, this is obviously a cause for concern. The Jets could be without a significant piece of their offensive line.

Alijah Vera-Tucker injury update

Vera-Tucker has started all six games for the Jets at right guard this season but has started just 12 games over the last two years due to multiple season-ending injuries.

A torn tricep muscle knocked Vera-Tucker out for the remainder of the 2022 season just seven games into the year and a torn Achilles prematurely ended his 2023 campaign after just five games.

It's that Achilles injury that has some Jets fans concerned, especially since Achilles injuries can sometimes be listed as "ankle" injuries upon first diagnosis.

The Jets can ill afford to lose Vera-Tucker for any significant period of time. Wes Schweitzer is still on the injured reserve and the likes of Xavier Newman and Jake Hanson aren't particularly appealing starting options.

Newman has since exited the game with a seemingly serious head/neck injury and was carted off the field. Hanson has stepped in at right guard with both Vera-Tucker and Newman sidelined.

The Jets hope to receive a positive update on Vera-Tucker's status in the second half. This article will be updated with more details as they're made available.

*UPDATE: Vera-Tucker has been downgraded to doubtful to return.

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