Aaron

Walker

The former 49er will start in a two tight end set with Joe Klopfenstein. He will be in the lineup mostly for his blocking skills.

Pretty surprising. Walker is almost strictly a blocker, something McMichael has been doing all season. It’s unknown whether McMike is being benched for a disciplinary reason, but he hasn’t been productive in the passing game at all so far this season.

The Rams valued Walker as a blocking backup. His loss could mean a slight bump in playing time for second-year tight end Dominique Byrd.

Walker may not be at full strength yet after undergoing shoulder surgery in December.

Walker could replace John Gilmore as Chicago’s blocking specialist, but is recovering from major shoulder surgery. He might not be ready for camp.

Daniel Wilcox is still nursing a toe injury and Quinn Sypniewski is out for the year, so these two add camp depth. Bergen and Walker have 30 NFL starts between them, but little production. Walker probably has a better shot of making the team as a blocker, but is coming off a shoulder injury.

The tenders are for the $850,000 minimum, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Chillar, a fourth-round pick in 2004 and now the Rams’ strong-side linebacker, is the only player who might get an offer sheet.

With Dominique Byrd’s legal troubles, Walker has a chance to be the third tight end in St. Louis this season behind Randy McMichael and Joe Klopfenstein.