Ariya Berra Tucker looked at the Jets' 2024 schedule and was happy to learn there would be no road trip to Denver this year.
Instead, the Broncos are coming to MetLife Stadium. Vera-Tucker has suffered season-ending injuries in each of the last two seasons in Denver.
He's in no hurry to return to the Mile High City.
“I should have told Joe. [Douglas] I’m not playing,” Vera Tucker said this month. “I'm glad they're here this time.”
Vera Tucker, 24, has been one of the Jets' best offensive linemen over the past three seasons.
The problem is he's only been on the field for 12 games over the past two seasons.
In 2022, his season ended with a torn triceps injury in Week 8.
Last season, he tore his Achilles tendon in Week 5.
Both injuries occurred in Denver, and the Jets' offensive line collapsed after losing Vera Tucker both seasons.
The Jets took Vera-Tucker in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Although he was a rookie, he quickly showed his skills as the starting left guard.
He then moved to right guard in 2022 when the team signed Laken Tomlinson.
Soon, his complete versatility was on display when the Jets had him play left and right tackle due to injuries to their starters.
He started last season as a right guard, but then moved to right tackle.
Vera-Tucker has shown he can play all-the-line, but the Jets are concerned that flying around may have led to an injury. That's why the plan for 2024 is to give him a spot and keep him there.
“We want to have him at one position,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said the day after the season ended. “A lot of reason to believe that some of the injuries are due to … His curse is the ability to move from one place to another, right? His versatility, and that's why he's had so many injuries over the past two years.” I don't know if I'm contributing to the cause of the debt.
“His first year, he played one position and stayed healthy all year. So no matter what we decided to do, left guard, right guard, right tackle, left tackle, we played him at one position. “I hope he stays there and never goes through hell or high water,” to give him a chance to play regardless of injury and stay healthy until 2024. ”
It remains to be seen what position Vera Tucker will end up in. The Jets are revamping their offensive line this offseason.
They could take the approach of adding Vera-Tucker to fill a position that won't be filled in free agency or the draft.
In other words, Vera-Tucker could become the starting right tackle if they find a guard they like and sign them.
If they find a tackle they like, Vera-Tucker might be wary.
Vera Tucker said she's not picky about where she plays.
“I was doing what I thought was best for myself and what was best for the team,” Vera Tucker said. “I was able to show my versatility and prove that I can play guard and tackle. It was good. If I could go back now, I wouldn't change a thing. My mindset going into next year is , I think it's really about staying healthy. That's all I want.”
The Jets have until May to decide whether to pick up Vera-Tucker's fifth-year option.
Injury is the only reason to consider opting out, but the Jets will probably go for it.
Vera-Tucker was a rare bright spot on the Jets' offensive line when healthy.
Vera Tucker said doctors haven't told her when she'll be able to play again, but she sounded encouraged at the end of the season.
He planned to start doing yoga and Pilates as part of his workout routine this offseason.
After two disappointing seasons, Vera-Tucker is hoping for a healthy 2024, and so are the Jets.
“My chance will come. I know it will,” Vera Tucker said. “All I have to do is stay locked in, wait for my moment and take advantage of it.”
The Jets hired Tony Dues as their new running backs coach on Friday, according to officials.
Dewes comes to the Jets from the Titans, where he was the tight ends coach last year.
He was the running backs coach there from 2018 to 2022 with Derrick Henry.
The Jets released Taylor Embry at the end of the season.
They were in talks with Deuce Staley, who joined the Browns, before hiring Deuce.
