The injury bug is back for the New York Jets, as one of the team's star offensive linemen received a brutal injury update prior to week one of the 2025 NFL season.

According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Jets' starting right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker has suffered a season-ending torn tricep.

After being selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft by New York, Vera-Tucker has been a key piece to the offensive line efforts. In four seasons with the Jets, the former USC standout has allowed a total of nine sacks on 1,752 pass plays. Vera-Tucker made a huge leap last year, as he finished as the 10th-highest rated guard in the NFL, according to PFF. And as he entered his fifth season with the organization this year, the highly-touted lineman may not get the opportunity to play out his final year of his contract.

Now, the Jets must figure out how to replace him up front in order to see the full potential of the offense in 2025.

Who's Next In Line?

When looking at the depth across the offensive line for the Jets, the clear option to replace Vera-Tucker up front is center Joe Tippmann.

The former 2023 second-round pick is coming off a breakout season last year after seeing his fair share of woes as a rookie. Tippmann allowed five sacks in 2024, while also showing great strides in both the pass and run game. However, the signing of former Green Bay Packers lineman Josh Myers gives head coach Aaron Glenn flexibility up front. Myers has logged over 3,000 total snaps at the center position throughout his four seasons in the NFL, which allows for the Jets to maintain strength at center.

As for Tippmann, however, the rising star played a total of 11 snaps at the guard position prior to his time in New York. The lack of experience outside of the center position does raise red flags, but the team may have no other options at this point. The team's other option would be to move Max Mitchell into the right guard spot, which could keep a young Tippmann at his true position. But until then, the Jets will have to weigh their options before they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in week one.