The last two years, Alijah Vera-Tucker coming out of a game with an injury also doubled at the end of her season.

First, it was the ACL.

Next, the Achilles.

Both gutted the Jets’ offensive line, forcing them to adjust without the former first-round pick.

And when coupled with other absences, adjustments usually end up being anything but transparent.

Over the past two weeks, the unit was once again on the verge of a spiral.

Gang Green right guard Vera-Tucker missed time with a sprained ankle.

Left guard John Simpson (groin) is out injured.

Just like backup goalkeeper Jake Hanson (hamstring).

Olu Fashanu – the Jets’ first-round pick who was supposed to sit, watch and learn during his rookie season before becoming their future left tackle – found himself at right guard against the Texans on Halloween, a position he hadn’t even practiced before.

This was the 2024 rendition of the Jets scrambling and tinkering with combinations on the fly.

This set the stage for a recent period filled with uncertainty as the statutes fell into place.

But their extended break after a victory on “Thursday Night Football” proved beneficial: Vera-Tucker, Simpson and Morgan Moses were all full participants in Friday’s practice, and head coach Jeff Ulbrich s The trio was expected to all play against the Cardinals.

So for the first time since Week 7 and for just the sixth time this season, quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be protected by his best collection of linemen – the offense already entering with some mojo after breaking out for 21 points in the second half of the Houston. earn.

“It’s huge,” Ulbrich said after Friday’s practice. “All five offensive linemen plus Aaron feel like they’ve been at their best in a long time from a mobility standpoint, they’re so excited about those two things.”

At the very least, the Jets will have some continuity with their offensive line.

They will have Rodgers – a self-proclaimed “hare” this week with his energy – having his best drives of the season.

They’ll have Garrett Wilson, who leads the NFL with 94 targets, and Davante Adams, whose eight years of chemistry with Rodgers in Green Bay began to pay off against the Texans.

Everything, ultimately, is positioned to click for Gang Green.

Much of that revolves around the offensive line, which went through 13 different combinations last season. Some linemen have moved to different positions.

Others, including Vera-Tucker and her Achilles Tear, missed time.

The Jets’ season took a major hit when Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon in Week 1, but the constant turmoil with the offensive line didn’t help their trio of backup quarterbacks either.

They ended up allowing the fourth most sacks in 2023.

But of the 13 linemen who recorded a snap last year, only six returned for 2024, and only two — Vera-Tucker and center Joe Tippmann — started in Week 1.

The Jets used a trio of veterans in Simpson, Moses and Tyron Smith to protect Aaron Rodgers, and although Smith struggled individually and Moses suffered a grade 2 MCL tear, a small bone fracture in his knee and meniscus lesions. missing just two games, Rodgers was only sacked 20 times.

They also survived injury chaos against the Texans, when Fashanu allowed just two pressures in the first 37 snaps of his career at right guard.

This week, even though the Jets were healthy up front, Fashanu took reps at tackle and guard after cross-training at both tackle spots in training camp, Ulbrich said.

“The fact that he can play both gives us such flexibility,” Ulbrich said. “Like when you find guys that are Swiss army knives like that, it’s just, it’s invaluable because injuries are part of that deal, especially at the line of scrimmage.”

So in case they need it, the Jets have options. In case they are faced with a problem like last Thursday’s dilemma, they can adjust while still giving Rodgers plenty of time to get the offense going and spark a win.

However, they shouldn’t need these emergency glass-breaking scenarios at least to start Sunday’s game.

For the first time in a long time, for Vera-Tucker and the rest of the Jets offensive line, midseason injuries didn’t stop the starting group from coming together.

“It’s been tough,” Ulbrich said of Vera-Tucker’s two season-ending injuries. “He’s a mentally strong guy, as he’s a guy it’s hard to put him down. He’s overcome a lot, and the fact that we have him back this game is huge for our offense.