FLORHAM PARK, NJ — In the span of six minutes Sunday, the New York Jets lost rookie running back Breece Hall and tackle Alijah Vera-Tucker — two of their best players — to season-ending injuries.
An MRI confirmed an ACL tear and a meniscus tear for Hall, who was a front-runner for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Vera-Tucker, who excelled at three different positions on the offensive line this season, will undergo surgery to repair a triceps injury.
Wide receiver Corey Davis (knee), who also left Sunday’s game, is listed as day-to-day.
Both Hall and Vera-Tucker were injured in the second quarter of the Jets’ 16-9 win over the Denver Broncos. Their injuries occurred on consecutive offensive plays separated by one Broncos possession.
“It’s always tough,” coach Robert Saleh said Monday. “That’s two potential Pro Bowlers between Breece and AVT.”
They are big shots for the Jets (5-2), who are riding a four-game winning streak and will face the New England Patriots on Sunday in a key AFC East matchup at MetLife Stadium.
Hall will be tough to replace, as he ranks seventh in the NFL with 681 yards from scrimmage. With him on the field, the Jets averaged 5.6 yards per rush, which would be the highest mark in the league, according to ESPN Stats and Information research. With Hall out, they’re averaging just 3.6, which would rank 29th.
The Jets will rely on Michael Carter and Ty Johnson as their top two backs. Carter, their top rusher in 2021, actually started the season as their RB1 before giving up to Hall. Zonovan Knight, an undrafted rookie out of NC State, will likely be moved up from the practice squad for depth purposes.
“I’ve done it in the past and I did it a few weeks last year,” Carter said Monday. “Being able to carry [the load] it’s something I’m very good at.”
Carter has rushed for 228 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 3.5 yards per carry.
Vera-Tucker, who started the season at right guard but moved to left tackle and then right tackle due to line injuries, will be replaced by Cedric Ogbuehi, who made his Jets debut in Denver . A first-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2015, he was on the Houston Texans’ practice squad when he left on Sept. 27 to sign a contract with the Jets.
Vera-Tucker became the second former second-round pick on the offensive line to suffer a season-ending injury. Right tackle Mekhi Becton went down in training camp with a knee injury. Sophomore tight end George Fant (knee) is eligible to come off injured reserve this week, but that seems unlikely, according to Saleh.
“I think they will be fine,” Saleh said of his team’s spirits amid injuries. “Someone go to Michael Carter and tell him he can’t do this. Is he? I’ll look the other way. We have all the faith in the world in those guys.”
One player expected to return is Elijah Moore, who was benched Sunday after requesting a trade three days ago.
Moore joined the team on Monday and will be active against the Patriots, Saleh said. He didn’t make the trip to Denver because the Jets didn’t think he was in good shape after being sent home from practice Thursday after a heated exchange with offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, sources said. A few hours later, Moore, unhappy with his role, asked to be traded.
The Jets have said they will not trade Moore, a 2021 second-round pick.
“This is not the time to alienate Elijah,” Saleh said. “He doesn’t need to be alienated from this organization. We love him; we think the world of him. We know what a great player he can do and how much he can help us. And we just want to help him. We will not move it to the side.”
Moore had yet to comment.
