Alijah Vera-Tucker got the start at right tackle in the Jets’ Week 5 matchup with the Dolphins on Sunday, as Gang Green is forced to continue shuffling the deck of the offensive line due to constant injuries that began during training camp.
For Vera-Tucker, it is already the third different position on the offensive line that he has played this year, and fourth since starting his pro career last year after being drafted in the first round.
Vera-Tucker played left tackle in Week 4 against the Steelers, and didn’t allow a sack or even a QB hit, and back in Week 1, started at right guard. Last year, he played left guard, and in his final collegiate season with USC, played left tackle. Sunday’s start and new position means Vera-Tucker has played every position on the line outside of center in the past two years, and three of them coming in the past five weeks.
Why the constant change? The Jets keep sustaining injuries to their offensive line, starting with losing Mekhi Becton for the season over the summer, then losing his replacement Duane Brown to IR just before the season started. George Fant also suffered an injury, and Max Mitchell is still sidelined with a knee injury.
As the makeup of the offensive line constantly changes around him, Vera-Tucker remains a fixture up from for the Jets, though his vantage point seems to change weekly. At least his production level doesn’t.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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