The Cardinals released Walker on Monday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.
Walker spent three of his first five NFL seasons in Arizona, and aside from 2019, operated mostly on special teams. The 29-year-old linebacker will have to look for a new NFL opportunity ahead of Week 1, but it's unclear how much attention he'll receive as a free agent.
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Cardinals' Joe Walker: Elevated from practice squad
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Walker was elevated to the main roster as a COVID replacement for running back Jonathan Ward, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.
Walker has been active for seven games this season for the Cardinals, mostly seeing action on special teams. The five-year-pro hasn't played a significant role since 2019 and will likely serve as emergency linebacker depth and a contributor on special teams, if he suits up Monday against the Rams.
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49ers' Joe Walker: In lineup for Week 12
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Walker (undisclosed) is active for San Francisco's Week 12 matchup at the Rams.
Walker spent nine days on the reserve/COVID-19 list between Nov. 19 and Nov. 28, but he didn't have to miss any game action with San Francisco taking its bye over Week 12. Because of Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (hamstring) being ruled out for Sunday's contest, Walker is in line to get the start at weakside linebacker.
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49ers' Joe Walker: Hits COVID list
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The 49ers placed Walker on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.
It's unclear whether Walker tested positive for the virus or came into close contact with someone who did. The good news is that the 49ers enter their bye week in Week 11, so he'll have a few extra days to clear through the league's protocols before being granted clearance to return.
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Cardinals' Joe Walker: Increased work on tap
Rotowire
Walker has earned the starting role in Arizona's base defense, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Walker will start at inside linebacker during base formations, while Haasan Reddick still stands to play a rotational role in coverage and during blitzes. In Week 8's loss to the Saints, Walker played 65 snaps compared to Reddick's 36 snaps. Walker could have more weekly consistency notching tackles in his larger role, so he's worth monitoring in IDP formats.
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Eagles' Joe Walker: Full participant Wednesday
Rotowire
Walker (neck) was a full participant at the Eagles Wednesday.
Walker missed the last two games with the neck injury but appears on track to return for Sunday's game against the Giants. The 25-year-old should return to the role of starting middle linebacker for the Eagles.
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Eagles' Joe Walker: Returns in full Wednesday
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Walker (neck) was a full participant at the Eagles' practice Wednesday.
Walker suffered a stinger in Week 12 and was unable to play in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks, but is starting this week of practice trending in the right direction. Assuming the 24-year-old avoids a setback in practice this week, he should slot back in as starting middle linebacker against the Rams on Sunday.
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Eagles' Joe Walker: Sitting out Sunday
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Walker (neck) is listed as inactive for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Walker wasn't fully able to settle into his role as the starting middle linebacker before he was injured in Week 12 against the Bears. Veteran linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, who has been on the Eagles roster for less than a month, likely will slot in as the starter and could be due for a solid stat line.
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Eagles' Joe Walker: Team fears torn ACL
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The Eagles fear that Walker (knee) suffered a torn ACL in Thursday's preseason game against the Steelers, Geoff Mosher of 975 The Fanatic in Philadelphia reports.
The rookie linebacker left Thursday's game with an apparent knee injury and now that the team has had time to examine him, the prognosis looks bleak. Kiko Alonso's departure in the offseason gave Walker a chance to make an immediate impact at middle linebacker, but if it is confirmed that he has a torn ACL, the Eagles will be thin at that spot. Local product Don Cherry out of Villanova could have a chance to step up in Walker's absence.
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Eagles' Joe Walker: Suffers knee injury Thursday
Rotowire
Walker was forced out of Thursday's tilt with the Steelers due to a knee injury, Martin Frank of the Delawre News Journal reports.
Walker was taken in the seventh round of this year's draft. He currently projects as the Eagles' backup middle linebacker. The severity of his knee injury is unknown at this time.
