DENVER — For the second straight season, Alijah Vera-Tucker walked off the field at Empower Field at Mile High with a potentially serious injury.
Vera-Tucker, who has been the Jets’ best starting offensive lineman this season, injured his calf in the second quarter and did not return. After the game, coach Robert Saleh sounded worried the injury could be serious.
“It’s a concern for sure,” Saleh said.
When asked if Vera-Tucker could have an Achilles injury, Saleh only said: “He’s going to have to get an MRI.”
Vera-Tucker suffered a season-ending injury last season in Denver, tearing his triceps.
Vera-Tucker has been a key piece of the offensive line this season, moving from right guard to right tackle in Week 3 to help stabilize the line. This past week, Saleh talked about keeping Vera-Tucker at right tackle permanently because he had played well there.
Before exiting the game Sunday, Vera-Tucker did give up a sack on the first drive of the game when Nik Bonitto beat him around the edge. Max Mitchell replaced Vera-Tucker after the injury.
The Jets left points on the field at the end of the first half.
With no timeouts and the ball at the Denver 13 and 15 seconds left, QB Zach Wilson threw to TE C.J. Uzomah inbounds for a 5-yard gain.
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The Jets were unable to get on the ball in time to spike it and stop the clock.
Time expired with the Jets not even getting a field-goal try.
“I need to do better in that situation,” Wilson said. “I knew the situation was if we throw the ball inbounds, we’ve got to clock it. I think, obviously, I was frustrated we didn’t get back quick enough to clock it but what’s that five 5 throwing to C.J. really doing for us? We already were in field-goal range. Really, it’s take a shot at the end zone and I knew that but I felt like he was so open, I was like, ‘Let me give him a chance to go run for it.’ But really there was no shot of that. I should have just sailed it over his head and kicked the field goal on the next play. I need to be better there.”
The Jets had a lot of salary on the inactive list Sunday.
DE Carl Lawson and WR Mecole Hardman were both surprise inactives for the game.
Lawson is making $9 million this season after restructuring his deal and Hardman is making $4 million.
The Jets could try to trade both players in the coming weeks but it may be hard to find a trade partner.
LT Mekhi Becton exited the game twice with pain in his surgically repaired right knee but was able to return to the game both times.
Billy Turner played left tackle in his place when he was out.
