Three of the New York Jets' starting five offensive linemen are dealing with injury issues ahead of the November 10 road game against the Arizona Cardinals.
While starting right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker appears in danger of missing a third consecutive game, starting left guard John Simpson and right tackle Morgan Moses are trending in the right direction.
"I'd say probably more hopeful with John, than AVT," said Jets' interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich on Wednesday.
Vera-Tucker, who last played in Week 7, did not practice for a second straight day. Meanwhile, Simpson and Moses were both upgraded from non-participants to limited status on Thursday.
Simpson left the Thursday Night Football win over Houston after only 12 offensive snaps due to a groin injury. The offensive guard situation became even murkier for New York when backup Jake Hanson, who was starting in place of Vera-Tucker, was forced to the bench after tweaking a hamstring. Hanson has been a non-participant at practice thus far this week.
"There's going to be a lot of different variables. We'll see the health of obviously Hanson, and AVT, and Simpson, and we'll see how that goes," said Ulbrich.
Versatile offensive lineman Max Mitchell and rookie tackle Olu Fashanu appear to be the next guys up if Simpson, Hanson and Vera-Tucker are unavailable.
"Fortunately, Olu went in there amazingly enough," said Ulbrich after the No. 11 overall draft pick stepped in for 37 snaps.
Meanwhile, Moses has been playing through an injured knee. He played 100 percent of the snaps on October 31 against Houston.
In other positive injury news, starting slot cornerback Michael Carter II improved his status to limited. Safeties Tony Adams and Ashtyn Davis, who were inactive against the Texans, improved to full participation.
