Walker passed his physical and is back to full health for training camp, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Walker tore his ACL during the third training camp practice of the 2025 season, ending his rookie season before he had a chance to suit up for a single game. The 2025 fourth-rounder is back and ready to start his career, set to work his way up the depth chart in time for the regular season.
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Buccaneers' David Walker: Should be healthy by training camp
Rotowire
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said Tuesday that Walker (knee) is expected to be healthy for the start of training camp, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
After being selected by Tampa Bay in the fourth round of last April's NFL Draft, Walker missed all of his would-be rookie campaign due to a torn ACL. It sounds like he's progressed well in his recovery, but Licht's comments don't make it clear if Walker will be able to participate in OTAs. Regardless, the Central Arkansas product is in line to make his NFL debut in 2026 and could serve in a key rotational role.
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Buccaneers' David Walker: Suffers torn ACL
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Walker was diagnosed with a torn ACL on Monday and will be sidelined for the 2025 season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The rookie fourth-rounder injured his knee during Friday's training camp practice, and further tests found a tear in his ACL. It's a brutal blow for Walker, who was expected to serve in a key rotational role at outside linebacker after impressing throughout OTAs and minicamp, but he'll have to wait until 2026 to make his professional debut. Walker's absence opens the door for Warren Peeples and Jose Ramirez to compete for a spot on the Bucs' 53-man roster.
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Buccaneers' David Walker: Sustains knee injury
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Walker exited Friday's training camp practice with a knee injury and is expected to miss some time, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports.
Head coach Todd Bowles stated Sunday that Walker was "still sore" and that the rookie was slated for more tests. Walker was selected in the fourth round out of Central Arkansas in April's draft after earning Consensus All-American honors on three occasions and is projected to fill a rotational role at outside linebacker in his first NFL season.
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Buccaneers' David Walker: Grabbed by Bucs in fourth round
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The Buccaneers selected Walker in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 121st overall.
Walker was a starter in all four years of his college career, and over his last three years in Central Arkansas he accumulated 184 tackles (108 solo), including 30.0 sacks, eight pass deflections and six forced fumbles in 34 games. A three-time consensus All-American, Walker was named to the First Team All-UAC in his last two years and earned the 2024 Buck Buchanan Award as the top FCS defensive player. Walker's strength and body quickness allows him to use different techniques to get past offensive linemen, which could help him overcome his lack of length against NFL-level talent.
