NY Jets news: Star OL returns to practice, Jets injury updates, rookie QB struggling

The NY Jets received a positive piece of injury news on Friday as starting right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker returned to practice in a full capacity for the first time since tearing his Achilles last October.

Vera-Tucker has participated in individual drills during the first two days of training camp this week, with Jets head coach Robert Saleh indicating that he could return to team drills next week. Evidently, that return came a bit sooner than expected.

Right tackle Morgan Moses remained sidelined from team drills as he rehabs shoulder surgery, but he's expected back as soon as next week. Left tackle Tyron Smith had a planned rest day on Friday, allowing rookie Olu Fashanu to start in his place.

The Jets are inching closer to having their full starting offensive line healthy for the summer. It's been a long time since a Jets' offensive line has been this healthy entering August.

More NY Jets news

Various Jets injury updates

While the Jets' offensive line is getting healthier, the team is already dealing with a few minor injuries on the rest of the roster. Wide receiver Xavier Gipson exited Thursday's practice with what the Jets are calling a "lower extremity" injury. He's expected to be sidelined 1-2 weeks, per Robert Saleh.

Backup offensive lineman Jake Hanson also suffered a leg injury in practice this week and is expected to be sidelined for a couple of weeks. Hanson is competing for one of the final backup offensive line spots on the roster.

Cornerback Brandin Echols exited practice on Friday with a trainer and did not return, but the Jets did not have an update on his status after practice.

Wide receiver Mike Williams and fullback Nick Bawden remain on the active/PUP list and can be activated at any time. The same goes for rookie quarterback Jordan Travis, who remains on the active/NFI list, although it doesn't sound like he's close to returning.

The Summer of Peasley is off to a rough start

With Jordan Travis still out injured and Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor already firmly established veterans, the Jets were likely planning to give plenty of reps to undrafted rookie quarterback Andrew Peasley this summer.

Unfortunately, Peasley's training camp has gotten off to a rough start. He's turned the ball over during each day of practice so far, including three more turnovers on Friday.

Peasley tossed a 50/50 ball into the hands of rookie safety Jaylen Key during 7-on-7 drills and was intercepted by newly-signed cornerback Nehemiah Shelton later in practice. He was also part of a botched snap that was recovered by rookie defensive lineman Eric Watts.

The Jets signed undrafted rookie quarterback Ben Bryant on Thursday and brought in UFL MVP Adrian Martinez and former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback E.J. Perry for visits over the last two days. Peasley's time in the limelight may be over soon if he doesn't clean up the interceptions.