Fantasy football: Delanie Walker gives update on injured ankle
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker gave an update on his injured ankle on Monday.
While his status remains up in the air for the Week 12 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker does seem to be moving in the right direction in his rehab.
Walker missed the last three games prior to the Week 11 bye with an ankle injury to the same one he seriously injured in 2018. He really hasn’t played in the last four games, as he was forced from the Week 7 contest early after just five snaps.
Walker spoke to the media on Monday and said he is optimistic that he can return to the field this week, but that will depend on how his ankle responds to practice first.
Delanie Walker and Jurrell Casey both optimistic about chances of returning to action for @Titans but said a lot hinges on how things go during practice week.
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) November 18, 2019
Walker didn’t guarantee he’d return of course, but he does think his ankle is ready enough that he can play, per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online.
"“Just by the things I’ve been doing, it feels good, so I think it’s going in the right direction. Again, I’m a tough guy and I feel like at this point it’s where I’m able to play, but again we just have to see.”"
On his conditioning, Walker isn’t concerned that the time off will affect him at all, as he’s still been working on that while he’s been out.
"“When I don’t go out there, I condition every day. I’m going to do another conditioning period today (Monday), so I don’t think that’s going to be a factor. Pretty much it’s going to be how it feels is going to be the biggest factor.”"
Walker was also seen in a knee brace on Monday, however he said it was no big deal and that it’s just for extra support when he’s walking around. The veteran tight end doesn’t plan on wearing it during practice or in games, according to Erik Bacharach of the Tennesseean.
Delanie Walker provides an update: He said he feels great, hopeful about a return this week but needs to see where he is when he steps on the practice field. Wearing a new brace today to provide more stability for his ankle. #Titans pic.twitter.com/oUpxcSS8tT
— Erik Bacharach (@ErikBacharach) November 18, 2019
During the bye, a report came out that said the Titans were “optimistic” that Walker would return in Week 12, so that adds fuel to the fire that he’s at least close.
In Walker’s absence, backup tight ends Anthony Firkser and Jonnu Smith have stepped up in a big way. Should Walker be ruled out once again this week, Smith is a solid start in fantasy football, while Firkser remains a fringe fantasy tight end at best.
Even if Walker does play, he remains a risky start. Before his injury, Walker was having an up-and-down season, mostly as a result of inconsistent quarterback play, and now with the emergence of Firsker and Smith, the Titans might want to keep them involved more.
We’ll know more about Delanie Walker’s status on Wednesday when the first injury report of the week is released. Walker doesn’t typically practice on Wednesday’s, so there’s a chance there won’t be any clarity until Thursday.