NY Jets head coach Robert Saleh announced that an MRI on Monday revealed that offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker suffered a torn Achilles tendon during New York’s win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday, and he will miss the remainder of the season.

Saleh said: “AVT, unfortunately, the MRI showed that he did tear his Achilles, so he is out for the year. We’re all kind of surprised because he played a play on it, he walked off under his own power, he walked to the locker room on his own power, so we were pretty optimistic that that part of it was going to be okay. But, it’s a blow. And again, I feel bad for him. He battled his way back this offseason from injury a year ago, and to have this happen again, it’s unfortunate.”
This is the second consecutive season that Vera-Tucker has sustained a season-ending injury in October, having also sustained a torn tricep in Week 7 in 2022 against the Broncos.

As far as replacements go, Max Mitchell replaced Vera-Tuker when the injury occurred in the first half on Sunday, and veteran Billy Turner is also an option at right tackle. Of Mitchell, Saleh said he did “a really good job” on Sunday: “Thought he did a decent job yesterday, things that we can improve upon on obviously with regards to pass protection, thought he was really good in the run game. One thing Max is gonna give you is he’s gonna give you everything he’s got. He trains as well as anybody and somebody we have full faith in.” Of Turner, Saleh commented: “same thing with Billy Turner, seasoned veteran, knows how to play the game, knows how to keep the quarterback upright, communicates at a high level and has played this game for a very long time so he knows how to play this game.”

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