Robert Saleh Confirms Alijah Vera-Tucker Tore His Achilles
The New York Jets have been hit with more bad news today: The team feared that offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker suffered a torn achilles against the Broncos on Sunday and would miss the rest of the season. That fear was confirmed today by head coach Robert Saleh. Vera-Tucker is considered to be the best offensive lineman on this roster and this loss might put the nail in the coffin in terms of playoff hopes.
Vera-Tucker suffered a season-ending tricep injury last season against the Broncos as well. The 2021 first-round pick has had some bad luck early in his career and this injury will be another huge blow to this offense.
This is the second season-ending injury for this Jets offense this season. As many of us know, Aaron Rodgers went down with the exact same injury just four plays into the first game of the year. To many people, this injury effectively ended the Jets’ season before it even started. With their top offensive lineman out, and an inconsistent Zach Wilson at the helm, the Jets’ playoff chances are slim.
It has been a tough stretch for Jets fans and second-year head coach Robert Saleh. Within five weeks, injuries have turned a team that was considered a playoff lock into the below-average team we have always known them to be.
This team has some big question marks moving forward. Will Vera-Tucker ever be able to stay healthy? As mentioned earlier, he was drafted in the first round and taken as the No. 14 pick. Coming back from an achilles tear can be very difficult and there is no guarantee that he will return as the team’s best offensive lineman; These injuries could very well turn him into a “bust.”
When it comes to Rodgers, returning as a 40-year-old quarterback fresh off an achilles tear could prove to be difficult. Some analysts have even hinted at the idea that he should retire.
The acquisition of Aaron Rodgers put the Jets into the Super Bowl conversation, but these key injuries could close that window for a while. The surge of the Miami Dolphins and the consistency of the Buffalo Bills could leave the Jets in the middle of the pack for years to come.
