Joe Walker (linebacker)

Joe Walker (born December 11, 1992) is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Oregon and was selected in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He has also been a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

Joe Walker
refer to caption
Walker with the Washington Football Team in 2021
Personal information
Born: (1992-12-11) December 11, 1992
Palos Verdes, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:236 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school:Palos Verdes
College:Oregon (2012–2015)
Position:Linebacker
NFL Draft:2016 / Round: 7 / Pick: 251
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2022
Total tackles:99
Sacks:0.0
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:0
Interceptions:0
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

College career

Walker led the Ducks in tackles in 2015, having started all but five games since the 2013 Alamo Bowl. He collected 203 career tackles in three seasons at Oregon, and 102 more during one season at junior college. He had many dynamic plays on the Ducks' fast-paced defense, including two fumbles recovered for touchdowns, one of which was the notorious drop at the 1-yard line by Utah wide receiver Kaelin Clay in the Utah-Oregon game on November 8, 2014, which Walker returned 99 yards for an Oregon touchdown.[1]

Professional career

Walker was not one of the 39 collegiate linebackers invited to the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine, but completed in Oregon's Pro Day.[2] Walker was a projected to be a seventh-round pick or priority undrafted free agent by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked the 19th best inside linebacker prospect in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com.[3]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeight40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 2 in
(1.88 m)		 236 lb
(107 kg)		 4.60 s1.63 s2.65 s4.39 s6.86 s37 in
(0.94 m)		10 ft 4 in
(3.15 m)		23 reps
All values from Oregon's Pro Day[3]

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Walker in the seventh round (251st overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. He was the 36th and last linebacker selected in 2016.[4] The pick used to select him was a conditional pick that was traded from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for Matt Barkley.[5]

On May 4, 2016, Walker signed his four-year, rookie million contract.[6] Throughout training camp, he competed against Najee Goode for a roster spot. On August 18, 2016, Walker tore his ACL in a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, effectively ending his rookie season.[7] On August 28, 2016, Walker was placed on injured reserve.[8]

He made his professional debut in the Philadelphia Eagles' season-opening 30-17 win at the Washington Redskins. On September 24, 2017, Walker assisted on one tackle during the Eagles' 27-24 victory against the New York Giants. His first career tackle was with Jalen Mills as they teamed up to tackle Giants' wide receiver Sterling Shepard after he made a 10-yard reception in the first quarter.[9] On October 29, 2017, Walker earned his first career start and made a season-high three combined tackles in a 33-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers. He was named the starting middle linebacker after Jordan Hicks suffered a torn Achilles and was placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. During a Week 12 matchup against the Chicago Bears, Walker suffered a neck injury and was placed on injured reserve on December 29, 2017.[10] He finished the season with ten combined tackles (six solo) and a pass deflection in 12 games and three starts.[11] The Eagles won Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots by a score of 41-33.[12]

On September 2, 2018, Walker was waived by the Eagles and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[13]

Arizona Cardinals

On September 19, 2018, Walker was signed by the Arizona Cardinals off the Eagles practice squad.[14]

San Francisco 49ers

On March 24, 2020, Walker signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers.[15][16] He was released on September 5, 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day.[17][18] He was elevated to the active roster on September 26 for the team's week 3 game against the New York Giants, and reverted to the practice squad after the game on September 28.[19][20] He was elevated again on October 3 for the week 4 game against the Eagles,[20] and reverted to the practice squad again after the game on October 5. He was signed to the active roster on October 21.[21] He was placed on the team's reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 19, 2020,[22] and activated on November 28.[23]

Washington Football Team

Walker signed with the Washington Football Team on May 19, 2021.[24] He was released on August 31, 2021.[25]

Arizona Cardinals (second stint)

On October 13, 2021, Walker was signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.[26] He was promoted to the active roster on December 21.[27] He was waived on January 11, 2022 and re-signed to the practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Cardinals on January 19, 2022.[28]

On August 29, 2022, Walker was released by the Cardinals.[29]

References
  1. "Oregon vs. Utah - Game Summary - November 8, 2014 - ESPN".
  2. "Healthy Byron Marshall shows versatility at pro day". goducks.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  3. "Joe Walker, DS #19 ILB, Oregon". nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  4. "2016 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  5. "NFL Draft 2016: Oregon Ducks' Joe Walker selected by Philadelphia Eagles in 7th round". OregonLive.com. May 1, 2016.
  6. "Spotrac.com: Joe Walker contract". spotrac.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  7. "Philadelphia Eagles LB and ex-Duck Joe Walker tears ACL, done for season". OregonLive.com. August 22, 2016.
  8. McPherson, Chris (August 28, 2016). "Eagles Get To 75-Player Roster Limit". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2017.
  9. "NFL Game Center: Week 3-2017: New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles". NFL.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  10. Gantt, Darin (December 29, 2017). "Eagles put Joe Walker on IR, opening a roster spot for Sidney Jones". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
  11. "NFL Game Center: Joe Walker (2017)". NFL.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  12. "Eagles dethrone Tom Brady, Patriots for first Super Bowl title in stunner". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  13. McPherson, Chris (September 2, 2018). "Eagles Claim LB D.J. Alexander Off Waivers". PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  14. Urban, Darren (September 19, 2018). "Cardinals Add Linebacker Joe Walker". AZCardinals.com.
  15. Alper, Josh (March 23, 2020). "49ers sign Joe Walker". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  16. "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. March 24, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  17. "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. September 5, 2020.
  18. "49ers Sign 16 Players to the Practice Squad". 49ers.com. September 5, 2020.
  19. "49ers promote Grasu from practice squad, place Coleman on IR". APNews.com. September 26, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  20. "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. October 3, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  21. "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. October 21, 2020.
  22. "49ers Place Two on Reserve/COVID-19 List". 49ers.com. November 19, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  23. "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. November 28, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  24. Simmons, Myles. "Washington signs Joe Walker, releases Josh Harvey-Clemons". NBC Sports. Pro Football Talk. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  25. "Washington Makes Multiple Roster Moves". WashingtonFootball.com. August 31, 2021.
  26. Urban, Darren (October 13, 2021). "Maxx Williams Placed On Injured Reserve In Flurry Of Moves". AZCardinals.com.
  27. Urban, Darren (December 21, 2021). "Joe Walker Finally Gets Call For 53-Man Roster". AZCardinals.com.
  28. Urban, Darren (January 19, 2022). "Cardinals Sign 15 Players To 'Futures' Contracts". AZCardinals.com.
  29. Urban, Darren (August 29, 2022). "Cardinals Release CB Josh Jackson Among Three Roster Moves". AZCardinals.com.
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