Potential Jets' Offensive Tackle Addition Visiting Giants

Former NFL starter medically cleared, testing the waters with two New York teams

The New York Jets made a handful of personnel moves on Wednesday morning, but none of them involved signing free agent offensive tackle La'el Collins.

The 30-year-old Collins worked out in Florham Park on Tuesday according to a report confirmed by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. One day earlier, the Jets announced that starting right tackle Alijah Vera-Tucker suffered a season-ending Achilles rupture in the road win over Denver.

"I feel like every week we have an o-line workout," said Jets' third-year head coach Robert Saleh on Wednesday in Florham Park. "It's just standard procedure. You lose a guy, you bring a guy in to work out. As far as where that stands, that's probably more of a Joe [Douglas] question."

Although he has been medically cleared, Collins will have to prove he is back at full strength after tearing multiple knee ligaments on December 24, 2022. He is only nine months removed from ACL surgery.

Obviously, Collins, who has 86 career starts, left the Jets' facility on Tuesday without a deal. The former Dallas Cowboys' mainstay is reportedly making a subsequent visit with the New York Giants today. 

"Every week, we're always doing due diligence on players and positions, just to see where they're at," said Saleh. 

In a message posted to the social media site formerly known as Twitter, and timestamped at 1:50 pm ET, Bergen Record writer Art Stapleton said that Collins arrived at the Giants' facility with a workout scheduled for later this afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Giants has added former Jets' offensive tackle Yodny Cajuste to their Practice Squad. Cajuste was waived by Gang Green in August.

The Jets are seemingly focused on an internal option to fill Vera-Tucker's spot for the immediate future.

Will Jets Sign Seven-Year Starter to Replace Alijah Vera-Tucker?

Second-year pro Max Mitchell came on in relief of Vera-Tucker on Sunday. Veteran Billy Turner, who spelled Mekhi Becton for a handful of plays in Sunday's win, is also a possibility. 

"We'll keep that one close to the vest for the week, but we have our options in house," said Saleh on Monday.

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