The Jets have elevated WR Tyler Johnson from the practice squad for Sunday's season-opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team also placed RG Alijah Vera-Tucker on injured reserve.
Johnson (6-1, 208) was signed by the Jets as an unrestricted free agent in March and recorded 2 catches for 27 yards in preseason action. The Minnesota product was originally selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. A final cut by Tampa Bay in August 2022, he signed with Houston for the '22 season, was waived in October and returned to the Bucs via their practice squad. After a brief offseason stop with Las Vegas, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams for 2023-24. Johnson has played in 49 NFL games and has 76 receptions for 828 yards (10.9 yards/catch) and 4 touchdowns across five seasons.
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said Thursday that RG Vera-Tucker sustained a triceps injury this week in practice and will miss the 2025-26 NFL season. He added that the rehab is expected to take approximately seven months.
A first-round pick of the Jets (No. 14 overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft, Vera-Tucker (6-5, 308) started all 43 games he appeared in the past four seasons. He displayed his OL versatility when called on, logging starts at every position except center since his rookie season and starting at RG, RT and LT in '22. He is the longest-tenured Jets offensive lineman and was slated to start between either Joe Tippmann or Josh Myers at C and rookie RT Armand Membou.
"When it comes to who's going to be up as far as the O-line, I'm still getting that evaluated." Glenn said. "… He was a big player for us, but we have to continue to keep rolling."
Vera-Tucker, who also had a season-ending triceps injury in 2022, was voted one of the Jets' six team captains on Aug. 28.
