NY Jets news: Alijah Vera-Tucker injury update, Greg Zuerlein return, Malachi Corley's plan

The NY Jets' offensive line is dealing with multiple injuries as the team prepares for its Week 10 game against the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday. While starting left guard John Simpson is trending in the right direction, the same can't be said for Alijah Vera-Tucker.

The Jets' right guard is dealing with a high ankle sprain and did not participate in practice on Thursday. Vera-Tucker has been sidelined for each of the last two games and seems likely to miss a third game this week.

Simpson left the team's Week 9 game against the Houston Texans early with a groin injury and did not participate in Wednesday's practice. However, he returned to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday.

Jets passing game coordinator Todd Downing indicated that rookie Olu Fashanu is expected to start at right guard in place of Vera-Tucker on Sunday. Fashanu played guard for the first time in his football career on Thursday, making this a tall order for the rookie lineman.

READ MORE: NY Jets' Morgan Moses taking extreme measures to play through painful injuries

Other NY Jets news:

Greg Zuerlein might return in 2024

Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein put together what was literally the best season by a kicker in franchise history in 2023. Unfortunately, his struggles this season cost his team as many as three games before the organization finally pulled the plug.

But rather than release Zuerlein, the Jets placed the veteran kicker on injured reserve with a knee injury that magically appeared the same day. In reality, the Jets likely didn't want to cut bait so soon after signing him to a two-year extension this past offseason.

Riley Patterson served as the Jets' kicker in Week 9, connecting on all three extra-point attempts. The Jets also signed undrafted rookie Spencer Shrader to their practice squad last week.

Still, the team isn't shutting the door on a possible Zuerlein return. Jets general manager Joe Douglas told reporters on Wednesday that "no one is giving up on Zuerlein coming back" and that this time on the IR is "a good opportunity for him to hit the reset button."

Zuerlein will be eligible to return from the IR following the Jets' bye week.

Malachi Corley has a new touchdown plan

Jets wide receiver Malachi Corley made headlines for all the wrong reasons last Thursday against the Texans when the rookie wideout dropped the ball before crossing the goal line on a play that would have been his first career touchdown.

It was just the second career touch for Corley, who has spent the vast majority of his rookie season riding the bench. Fortunately for everyone involved, the laughable mistake didn't cost the Jets a win, but it's safe to say Corley is determined to make sure it never happens again.

Corley spoke to reporters on Wednesday and offered a solution to his problem.

"I’m going to probably hold onto the ball all the way to the sideline and give it to coach [Jeff Ulbrich] and let him know that I owed him that one."

Malachi Corley

The Western Kentucky product told reporters he wasn't embarrassed by the play and insisted the blunder wouldn't define him. Corley might be in line for an increase in playing time following the departure of Mike Williams.