The Detroit Lions are releasing veteran safety Tracy Walker III ahead of 2024 free agency. The third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft spent six seasons with the organization and racked up 398 tackles, three interceptions, and four sacks in 79 games. The emergence of Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu has made Walker expendable, and the team will take on just a $7.3 million dead cap hit for making this move. Although Walker is likely not viewed as a starter for other franchises, he's likely to have a market as a depth player.
Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (Achilles) was at the team's organized team activities last week, albeit in a limited fashion after tearing his Achilles in Week 3 of last year against the Minnesota Vikings. Getting Walker back will be a big boost to the Lions defense in 2023 after he was Detroit's leading tackler in 2021 with 108 tackles. He also had six passes defensed and an interception that year. The 28-year-old is seven months removed from surgery and said he'll be ready to return in a full capacity when training camp starts this summer as long as he gets clearance from his surgeon. When healthy, Walker will start alongside C.J. Gardner-Johnson, with both Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch also pitching in.
Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (Achilles) is expected to return in full for training camp. The 28-year-old tore his Achilles in Week 3 and missed the rest of the season because of it. He has been able to participate on a limited basis during recent OTAs. It sounds like the team is going to ease Walker back into things coming off a serious injury. His return to the field would be a huge boost to the Lions defense. Walker is a former third round pick who has two 100-tackle seasons under his belt. The Lions could have a scary secondary with C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Walker back there.
Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (Achilles) said on his personal Twitter account that he will be ready to take part in organized team activities this offseason. Walker tore his Achilles in September and missed the rest of the 2022 season. The 28-year-old might be being a little optimistic about taking part in organized team activities, but it's a good sign that his rehab is going well. We'll have to monitor how much Walker does this offseason and through training camp this summer, but it sounds like he will at least have a realistic chance to be ready for the start of the 2023 campaign, which would be a big boost to Detroit's secondary. Walker played in only three games in 2022 before tearing his Achilles.
The Detroit Lions placed safety Tracy Walker (Achilles) on season-ending Injured Reserve after he suffered a torn Achilles in the Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. "That's a significant loss for multiple reasons," head coach Dan Campbell said. "Since I walked in the door last year, he's been all in. He's one of our team captains this year and nobody has put in more work." It's a tough blow for the Lions secondary and for fantasy managers in IDP leagues. With Walker no longer around for the rest of the year, expect Kerby Joseph to have a much bigger role moving forward at safety for the Lions. The 27-year-old Walker finishes his 2022 season with 20 tackles (11 solo) and a pass defensed in three games played.
Tracy Walker Believed To Have Suffered Torn Achilles
Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (Achilles), who had been impressive through two weeks, is believed to have suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. If it's confirmed, it would knock him out for the season, according to sources. Fantasy managers in IDP leagues that had been running with the 27-year-old as their defensive back will obviously need to go in another direction for the rest of the year. Walker will finish 2022 with a sack, 20 tackles (11 solo) and a pass defensed in three games played. Kerby Joseph is expected to take over for Walker moving forward. It's bad news for a Lions defense that has allowed 265.7 passing yards per game through the first three weeks.
Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (ankle) exited in the first quarter of a Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and did not return. He was replaced by third-year safety JuJu Hughes. Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters after the game that the team would have more information on Monday morning, but that Walker's ankle did not look good and that he potentially could have an Achilles injury. Walker is a Lions team captain and led the team in tackles last season, so it would be a huge loss to Detroit's secondary if he misses significant time.
Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (ankle) has been ruled out for the remainder of Week 3 versus the Minnesota Vikings. He had exited the contest in the first quarter. With Ifeatu Melifonwu (coach's decision) also inactive, the Lions' safety room will be headlined by DeShon Elliott and Kerby Joseph for the rest of the game.
Detroit Lions defensive back Tracy Walker (knee) didn't practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 9 against the Raiders. Walker has been one of the most productive safeties in IDP leagues, so you'll have to look elsewhere if you've been rolling with him this year. His absence boosts the outlooks of Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, wide receiver Tyrell Williams and tight end Darren Waller. Williams will have an even better opportunity to put up numbers if cornerback Darius Slay (hamstring), who is questionable, also sits out.
