NY Jets place two rookie starters on the COVID-19 list

The NY Jets added two more players to their growing COVID-19 list on Tuesday with rookies Alijah Vera-Tucker and Michael Carter II the latest additions.

This comes one day after the Jets added five more players to the Reserve/COVID-19 list including defensive end John Franklin-Myers. Other notable names on the list include Folorunso Fatukasi, Hamsah Nasirildeen, Sharrod Neasman, Jeff Smith, Vyncint Smith, and Justin Hardee.

The Jets did receive some positive COVID-related news, however, as quarterback Mike White was officially activated from the COVID-19 list. White spent nearly a month on the list, one of the longest stays of any NFL player since the list was created.

But the bigger news, of course, is that the Jets may be without two more key starters in Sunday's game. Not ideal for a roster that's already been ravaged by injuries.

The NY Jets are having a bit of a mini-COVID-19 outbreak

The Jets are one of a number of teams around the NFL dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks at the moment. With cases surging, the NFL has already been forced to reschedule multiple games.

The Jets aren't at that stage (yet), but with positive tests continuing to pop up, this is definitely a situation worth monitoring as the days go on.

Vera-Tucker's absence would be a massive blow to a Jets offensive line that is already dealing with some injuries. George Fant was forced to miss Week 15 forcing the Jets to turn to their fourth-string left tackle, Conor McDermott.

If Vera-Tucker is unable to play, there's a chance the Jets will be starting McDermott and Dan Feeney on the left side of their offensive line. That's a far cry from the Mekhi Becton/Alijah Vera-Tucker duo fans hoped to see at the beginning of the year.

Carter's absence could also be detrimental to the Jets' secondary, although the rookie has struggled in recent weeks. The Jets would turn to Javelin Guidry to start at nickel cornerback if Carter is unable to play.

That's now seven new additions to the COVID-19 list for the Jets over the last two days. Hardly an ideal situation as the team heads into their Week 16 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.