NY Jets: Elijah Moore, Alijah-Vera-Tucker unlikely to play on Friday

The NY Jets have been without two of their top rookies in Alijah Vera-Tucker and Elijah Moore for the last few weeks. And it doesn't seem as though either will suit up for the preseason.

Head coach Robert Saleh spoke to the media on Wednesday ahead of this Friday's preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. And he revealed that Vera-Tucker and Moore are unlikely to play this week.

Both players returned to practice in a full capacity this week after missing time with injuries. Vera-Tucker has been dealing with a pectoral injury while Moore has battled a nagging quad injury.

Given their returns to practice, it does seem likely that both will be ready to go for Week 1. There has been no indication that either will miss regular-season time and it's likely that each would be playing this week had it been a regular-season game.

The Jets are just playing it safe. And it's hard to argue with that philosophy given the poor injury luck they've have had this summer.

The NY Jets will be without Alijah Vera-Tucker and Elijah Moore this Friday

Of course, the most notable injury was the one suffered by star defensive end Carl Lawson. A torn Achilles will force him to miss the entire 2021 season.

One of the team's top reserve defensive ends, Vinny Curry, will also be sidelined for the entire year following the discovery of a rare blood disorder.

Throw in injuries to the likes of Jarrad Davis, Cameron Clark, Quinnen Williams, Sheldon Rankins, Lamarcus Joyner, Mekhi Becton, and Brandin Echols — among others — and it's obvious the Jets are just looking to survive until the regular season.

Vera-Tucker and Moore will be back, and their returns should provide a major boost to an offense that desperately needs it.

The offensive line has struggled in camp and things could get worse with Mekhi Becton entering concussion protocol following a collision during Tuesday's practice. Becton will also likely miss Friday's game as a result.

The Jets are shorthanded and missing a number of their top players. Hopefully they can avoid any additional injuries this Friday and go into Week 1 with a mostly healthy roster.