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Alijah Vera-Tucker Working Way Back to Full Strength
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New York Jets' 2021 first-rounder Alijah Vera-Tucker was living up to his draft status, but then injury hit.
When OTAs pick up next week, the former No. 14 overall selection will be working his way back from a season-ending triceps injury that required surgery.
The versatile Vera-Tucker lined up at both guard and tackle last season, making seven starts before going down in a 16-9 win over the Denver Broncos.
Heading into his third year as a pro, with 23 NFL starts under his belt, Vera-Tucker is on track to return in time for preseason training camp. The 6-foot-5 Vera-Tucker, who turns 24 years old on June 17, intends to be back at full strength and ready to go come July.
"I'm doing good right now with the recovery," said Vera-Tucker at the podium in Florham Park earlier this month. "Doing well, rehab. Feeling great right now, making great progress, should be ready by camp."
It's been nearly three months since Jets' general manager Joe Douglas gave a promising report on Vera-Tucker's status at the NFL Combine on February 28.
"So really Breece [Hall], AVT [Alijah Vera-Tucker], Mekhi [Becton], they’re all doing great in their recovery, and we feel good about their return," said Douglas.
Vera-Tucker was ultra-reliable as a rookie. The former USC Trojan took 1,026 offensive snaps in 16 games during the 2021 campaign. He was mainly a left guard as a first-year pro before moving to the right side to accommodate the signing of veteran free agent Laken Tomlinson last offseason.
Kicking off the 2022 NFL Preseason as the right guard, injuries forced the Jets to use Vera-Tucker as both tackle spots during the first half of the regular season. As for his preferred position, he wouldn't admit to having one.
"For me I feel like it really doesn’t matter. I've told you guys plenty of times, I'm always team first," said Vera-Tucker. "Just talking to Coach Carter, he has a plan for me and the whole o-line as well. It comes down to his decision. I feel comfortable, you know, either one [guard or tackle]."
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At this point in 2023, it looks like the Jets are viewing him as a rock-solid starter at guard.
"I feel like right now, I'm just taking reps at guard in OTAs. Like I said, anything can change. We saw that last year," said Vera-Tucker.
Jets' third-year head coach Robert Saleh has hinted that Vera-Tucker is all but a lock to line up at right guard in 2023.
"We think he’s an All-Pro caliber right guard, and I think he can be a heck of a tackle too, but he is an elite guard. Somewhere where we would love to keep him," said Saleh at the NFL Owners' Meetings in late March.
Saleh echoed that idea while addressing reporters during the offseason program on May 5.
"You can assume AVT [Alijah Vera-Tucker] is the best right guard," said Saleh when asked a question about competition on the offensive line.
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