New York Jets right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker sustained an injury that could keep him out for a “significant time,” The Athletic reported Wednesday.
ESPN reported it is an arm injury for Vera-Tucker, selected by the Jets with the 14th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. ESPN further said the 26-year-old is seeking more opinions as to whether he will need surgery.
He was named a team captain on Monday, and it was not clear when or how the injury occurred.
Vera-Tucker, who played in college at Southern California, has been prone to injuries in his career. After playing in, and starting, 16 games as a rookie, he played only a combined 12 in the following two seasons due to torn triceps in 2022 and a torn Achilles in 2023.
Last season, Vera-Tucker appeared in 15 games. He has started all 43 of his NFL games and has 10 career penalties.
While Xavier Newman is listed as Vera-Tucker’s backup on New York’s unofficial depth chart, it is possible center Joe Tippmann could move to right guard, with Josh Myers being plugged in at center.
He will earn $15.3 million this season on his fifth-year team option. He is set to become a free agent in 2026.