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Alijah Vera-Tucker will be on the mend for a while.
The ex-Jets offensive lineman was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, taking him out for at least the next four Patriots games.
Vera-Tucker suffered the injury during New England’s 26-19 win over his former team on Sunday. He did not practice ahead of Thursday night’s game against the Bears.
It’s the fourth trip to injured reserve in six NFL seasons for the 27-year-old, who has repeatedly dealt with injuries throughout his career.
Vera-Tucker suffered a season-ending triceps injury in 2022 before tearing his Achilles in 2023.
He later missed the entire 2025 campaign after tearing his triceps again shortly before the season began.
The former first-round pick signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Patriots over the offseason after five seasons with the Jets.
He had started all six games at left guard for the Patriots before his latest setback.
The injury is bad timing for the Patriots, who will also be without starting right guard Ben Brown due to a knee injury on Thursday.
Veteran Matt Pryor and Walter Rouse, who is expected to make his first career NFL start, are set to fill in along the depleted offensive line.
The Patriots (4-2) are looking to extend their winning streak to four games following a shaky start.