Patriots officially place Alijah Vera-Tucker on IR ahead of TNF clash appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots enter Thursday Night Football one less an offensive lineman. Which surely impacts Patriots quarterback Drake Maye’s chances to outduel Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears. Star lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker will sit this one out.
The franchise itself announced that the interior lineman is going on injured reserve, with the decision made nearly four hours before kickoff.
Vera-Tucker is dealing with a bad hamstring that’ll prevent him from opening up running lanes or protecting Maye. By landing on IR, he’ll miss up to four games.
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So in a corresponding move, the Pats elevated Xavier Newman-Johnson to the active roster. Newman-Johnson will help fill Vera-Tucker’s guard spot against the NFC North franchise.
The 27-year-old first joined the defending AFC champs on Sept. 17 as a practice squad addition. He got his start with the Tennessee Titans after going undrafted out of Baylor in the 2022 NFL Draft. Eventually he signed with the New York Jets’ practice squad in the 2023 season. He brings four career starts in tow to coach Mike Vrabel and company.
But Vrabel and the Pats do gain a swingman option inside, as Newman-Johnson has played both guard spots and has handled center duties before. So the Pats have a versatile option to turn toward if needed.
But New England also brings another Swiss Army knife lineman option in Caleb Lomu. Vrabel hinted with reporters before the game on Wednesday that Lomu could slide inside amid the NFL injury up front involving Vera-Tucker, including becoming available at “multiple positions.”
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