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The 49ers agreed to terms with Walker on Wednesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports. The 29-year-old was a third-round pick of the Lions in 2018 and appeared in 79 games for Detroit, making 43 starts across six seasons. Walker appeared in all 17 regular-season games last year, recording 59 tackles (42 solo), two pass breakups and one sack. Walker gives the 49ers safety depth behind Talanoa Hufanga and Ji'Ayir Brown.
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Walker did not log a snap on defense during Saturday's win over the Broncos. A struggling Lions secondary is looking for answers, and Walker has now gone two straight games with all of his snaps coming on special teams while Ifeatu Melifonwu logged nearly every rep on defense. While C.J. Gardner-Johnson is returning soon to reclaim the starting job anyway, Walker does not appear to be a part of the rotation at all anymore.
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Walker registered six tackles (three solo) including a sack in Monday's 26-14 win over the Raiders. Walker's sack came on the Raiders' final drive in the fourth quarter on a third-down play that ultimately led to a turnover on downs. It was his first sack since Week 1 of the 2022 season, and his 35 tackles on the year is second on the team behind Alex Anzalone's 57.
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Walker (Achilles) worked with Detroit's first-team defense Saturday, Benjamin Raven of MLive reports. Walker suffered an Achilles injury that sidelined him from Week 4 of last year but has since had the offseason to move past the issue. The team captain started 15 games for the Lions in 2021, racking up 108 tackles, six pass breakups and one interception. Expect the veteran to start alongside second-year safety Kerby Joseph ahead of the coming season.
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Walker (Achilles) recently suggested via his personal Twitter account that he will be ready for the Lions' offseason training program this spring. After tearing his Achilles in late September, it would be an impressive feat for Walker to make it back for the start of offseason workouts. Even if the Lions' coaching staff has different plans for its standout safety, it at least seems that Walker could be available well before the start of the 2023 season opener.