Sports · American Football · 11 hrs ago
Patriots Place Alijah Vera-Tucker on Injured Reserve
The New England Patriots placed starting left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
The move means he will miss at least the next four games.
Vera-Tucker was injured during the Patriots’ win over the New York Jets, his former team.
His absence leaves the Patriots without both starting guards, as Ben Brown is also out with a knee injury.
Walter Rouse and Matt Pryor are expected to start at guard against the Chicago Bears.
Vera-Tucker has had several serious injuries in his NFL career, though he returned to start 15 games in 2024 before joining New England on a three-year deal.
The Patriots have not given a recovery timeline, and the guard injuries could lead them to seek help through a trade.
The Patriots will be without both starting guards, Alijah Vera-Tucker and Ben Brown, for their Thursday road game against the Bears.
Vera-Tucker has a hamstring injury, while Brown has a knee injury.
Walter Rouse is set to start at left guard and Matt Pryor at right guard.
Rouse will make his first career NFL start.
The Patriots placed Vera-Tucker on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least the next four games.
- Who
- The New England Patriots and their starting guards, Alijah Vera-Tucker and Ben Brown.
- What
- Both guards will miss the game against the Bears because of injuries. Walter Rouse and Matt Pryor are set to start in their places.
- When
- Thursday night; the sources identify the game date as October 22, 2026.
- Where
- The Patriots are traveling to play the Chicago Bears.
- Why
- Vera-Tucker injured his hamstring and Brown injured his knee in the Patriots’ previous game against the Jets.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Vera-Tucker injured his hamstring and Brown injured his knee in the Patriots’ win over the Jets.
The Patriots ruled out both guards for Thursday’s game against the Bears.
The Patriots placed Vera-Tucker on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four games.
- Unavailable guards
- Alijah Vera-Tucker and Ben Brown
- Vera-Tucker injury
- Hamstring
- Brown injury
- Knee
- Expected left guard
- Walter Rouse, first career NFL start
- Expected right guard
- Matt Pryor
- Vera-Tucker absence
- At least the next four games
5 sources
Patriots Place LG Alijah Vera-Tucker On IR
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What people are saying
I feel like it's been every week somebody stepping up. On the flip side of it, it's unfortunate seeing so many of our guys go down. I'm impressed with how the coaches have been handling it, of kind of moving personnel around and fixing things on the sideline and adjusting.