First Call: Tracking 2 significant Jets injuries; Will Howard discusses broken bone; Jakobi Meyers update

In Thursday’s “First Call,” we examine two injury notes concerning the New York Jets as they get ready to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday for a Week 1 showdown.

We also get a health update from rookie QB Will Howard, and some more info on a one-time trade target for the Steelers at wide receiver.

Jet repairs

There are at least two injury notes of significance emerging from the Jets’ practice facility in advance of the regular season opener against the Steelers.

We found out Wednesday morning that guard Alijah Vera-Tucker was dealing with some sort of upper-body injury of note. Later in the day, we learned from ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter that it was a torn tricep.

That may be a season-ending injury if he needs surgery.

Sources: Jets fear that guard Alijah Vera-Tucker suffered a season-ending torn tricep. He is getting a second opinion to confirm the injury and see if surgery is necessary. pic.twitter.com/0gaCjwMOdT

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 3, 2025

Vera-Tucker’s absence will definitely be felt against the Steelers as the Jets try to lean into their run game.

The former USC Trojan was an All-Rookie Team player in 2021, but he has missed 25 games over his first four seasons.

Vera-Tucker is heading into the final year of his rookie contract at $15.3 million in 2025 on the fifth-year option. The 26-year-old is scheduled to be a free agent in 2026.

It’s likely that center Joe Tippmann will slide over to replace Vera-Tucker at right guard, with former Green Bay Packer Josh Myers taking over the center spot.

What did Sauce say?

Another notable Jets injury belongs to standout cornerback Sauce Gardner. He was listed on the Jets’ injury report for the Week 1 game against Pittsburgh.

A two-time All-Pro, Gardner was a limited participant on New York’s Wednesday injury report. He’s dealing with a fibula issue of some sort.

#Jets CB Sauce Gardner, who has been dealing with a calf injury recently, is listed as limited in today's practice with a fibula injury.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 3, 2025

On Tuesday, Gardner told media members that “everything is good” with his injury that had previously been diagnosed as a calf problem, and that he was “ready to play on Sunday.”

The fourth-year Pro Bowler out of Cincinnati missed the last two preseason games after playing 12 snaps in the preseason opener. His matchup against DK Metcalf may be the most interesting one on the field Sunday.

‘Downs’ to talk

Steelers rookie Will Howard went on a podcast with former Ohio State teammate Caleb Downs and his brother, Josh (WR, Indianapolis Colts).

During the conversation, Howard explained exactly what happened to his injured hand.

“It was an under center snap,” Howard described of the training camp injury. “The doctors were like, ‘We’ve never seen anything like this happen.’ He snapped it into my hand and my pinky and then broke (a) bone.”

At first, Howard thought little of the injury.

“I finished that drill, and I went to the next drill. I couldn’t even grab the football,” Howard recalled. “I was like, ‘Something is messed up. I’ll be right back down. I’m just going to get X-rayed, make sure I’m cool.’ Sure enough, it was broken.”

Howard was placed on injured reserve after the team cut its roster down to 53 players. That’ll force him to miss at least the first four games of the 2025 campaign.

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More on Meyers

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers’ name was brought up as a potential trade target for the Steelers near the end of the preseason. He had asked for a trade from the franchise.

But that topic of conversation seems to have cooled with the regular season looming.

“I asked; they said no,” Meyers said Wednesday, courtesy of video from Vince Sapienza of Fox5 Vegas.

"I asked and they said, 'No,' and that's where that stopped."#Raiders WR Jakobi Meyers confirmed he asked for a trade after negotiations stalled on a new contract.

"I'm still pushing to take care of my family every day." #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/6VfQ2VWxDa

— Vince Sapienza (@VinceSapienza) September 3, 2025

“That’s where that stopped. I’m just going to keep doing my job until something shakes out either way. I don’t know which way it’s going to go, but I’ll be ready for whatever.”

Meyers is scheduled to make $10.755 million in 2025. This is the final year of a three-year contract he signed with the Raiders.

Meyers had 87 catches for 1,027 yards and four touchdowns for the Raiders last season.