Alijah Vera-Tucker may be sticking at right tackle.
At least, it’s a topic that is being broached amid his strong play since moving from right guard two weeks ago as part of the Jets’ offensive line reshuffling.
Coach Robert Saleh and Vera-Tucker spoke about it “briefly” this week.
“He kind of looks natural out there, doesn’t he?” Saleh said on Friday.
The former first-round pick has played offensive tackle before, as recently as last season for a few games.
He played left tackle in high school and again his final year of college at USC.
The Jets drafted him to play guard, but he has performed well at tackle.
When the Jets placed Duane Brown on injured reserve prior to the Patriots game, they moved Mekhi Becton over to left tackle and Vera-Tucker to right tackle.
Over the last two weeks, that group up front has an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 65.5, which is third-best in the league behind only the Eagles and Vikings.
“If I continue to play well out there, I don’t see why I wouldn’t stay out there,” Vera-Tucker said. “I’m feeling more comfortable out there as the weeks go on. At the end of the day, I’ll do whatever’s best for the team.”
Offensive tackle is a more valued position than guard, and it is typically harder to find quality players for that spot. That could factor into the Jets moving Vera-Tucker there long-term.
“It has been in the back of my mind,” he said. “But for right now, I’m just focused on week by week and whatever is best for the team.”
Linebacker Samuel Eguavoen (ankle), offensive tackle Carter Warren (shoulder), offensive lineman Billy Turner (toe) and safety Jarrick Bernard-Converse (foot) are questionable for Sunday.
Carter and Bernard-Converse were full participants in practice on Friday, Eguavoen was limited and Turner was held out.
The Broncos will get back three key defensive players this week in safety Justin Simmons (hip), outside linebacker Frank Clark (hip) and inside linebacker Josey Jewell (hip).
All three missed Denver’s win over the Bears last Sunday.