The Jets provided an unfortunate update on Friday, as Connor Hughes of SportsNet New York reported that starting guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, starting safety Ashtyn Davis, and defensive tackle Leki Fotu will all be out for today’s matchup with the Patriots.
Making matters worse, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich indicated that all three players are candidates for injured reserve.
None of the three players participated in practice this week.
The claim seems reasonable for Vera-Tucker and Fotu, who are dealing with ankle and knee injuries, respectively.
However, it’s more concerning for Davis, who has been on the injury report due to a concussion.
While players have returned from the NFL’s concussion protocol within a week, the possibility that Davis could miss four weeks due to a head injury is alarming.
Here are a few other injury updates from around the NFL:
49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga has had a rough stretch recently.
A year after earning first-team All-Pro honors, Hufanga suffered a season-ending ACL tear that cost him the final seven games of the season, as well as San Francisco’s three playoff games leading up to a narrow Super Bowl loss.
He worked hard to be ready for the start of the 2024 season but did not make an appearance until Week 3.
Hufanga was inactive in Week 4 and made his second start of the season in Week 5 against the Cardinals, where he was forced out after only 11 defensive snaps due to a wrist injury.
According to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, head coach Kyle Shanahan stated that it is not guaranteed Hufanga will return this year. Shanahan mentioned that while the team is hopeful and somewhat expecting his return, “it’s not a sure thing.”
Buccaneers linebacker SirVocea Dennis has been on IR for the past three weeks with a shoulder injury, making him eligible to return after one more game.
Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that the second-year defender will play again this season. According to Greg Auman of FOX Sports, head coach Todd Bowles indicated that Dennis’s return would depend on a deep playoff run by Tampa Bay, suggesting it is unlikely for the 2024 campaign.
