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What Tennessee Titans have to be thankful for in 2019

By Michael Moraitis

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 08: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans outruns Morgan Burnett #42 of the Cleveland Browns and Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns for a 75-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio . (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 08: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans outruns Morgan Burnett #42 of the Cleveland Browns and Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns for a 75-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio . (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee Titans tight end, Delanie Walker.
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 29: Delanie Walker #82 of the Tennessee Titans bows to the fans after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets at LP Field on September 29, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Jets 38-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

The service of Delanie Walker

On Wednesday, the gut-wrenching news came down that the Titans were placing Delanie Walker on injured reserve, which will end his 2019 season. And, because of his age and recent injury history, the veteran tight end might have played his last game with the Titans.

While Walker hadn’t produced in 2019 to the levels we’ve come to expect over the years, there are still so many reasons to be thankful for his service.

Walker was one of the few guys left in the league who was old school and told it like it was. He never settled for average or good enough, and he always spoke his mind when he felt something wasn’t right with his team.

From the second the Titans brought him aboard in 2013, Walker was the best player on the team and played with a toughness that was unmatched.

Despite a lack of talent around him to help take pressure off, Walker went on to post four consecutive seasons of 800 receiving yards or more, with his best year coming in 2015 when he totaled 1,088 yards and six touchdowns. For a tight end, those are outstanding numbers.

Walker wasn’t just a leader and the best player on the team for years, he also gave a young quarterback a chance to succeed and thrive. When Mariota came into the league in 2015, it was Walker who was his security blanket, and the veteran played an instrumental role in his early development.

Granted, Mariota’s tenure in Nashville didn’t end up working out, but it would have never had a chance to get off the ground without Walker’s help.

If the Titans do decide to move on from Walker, he won’t be easily replaced. Sure, the Titans can find a guy with the same talent as Walker (he might already be on the roster in Jonnu Smith), but the hole he leaves in the intangible department will be nearly impossible to replace.

When you think about the all-time greats in Titans history, Walker will be right up there with the best of them. And, long after he’s gone, fans will remember him and wish they had more guys like him.

I think I speak for all Titans fans when I say this: thank you, Delanie.

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