Tracy

Walker III

The Athletic’s Matt Barrows reports the 49ers are planning to sign safety Tracy Walker after he worked out for them on Wednesday. Walker tore his Achilles in 2022, but returned to play 17 games for the Lions in 2023. Starting in six games last season, he defended two passes, forced one fumble, and recorded one sack. Walker totaled 79 games in six seasons with the Lions, starting 43 of them and defending 23 passes with three interceptions. The veteran now lands with the 49ers, who could use the depth with Talanoa Hufanga recovering from last season’s Week 11 ACL tear.

Walker has spent his entire career with the Lions after being drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The 29-year-old has three career interceptions, playing in all 17 games during the 2023 season after suffering an Achilles tear to end his 2022 season. The move creates $5.5 million in cap space for the Lions while making Walker a free agent heading into the offseason.

Walker tore his Achilles in Week 3 and was on field in a limited basis for Detroit’s OTAs. Walker’s statement did come with the important caveat of “as long as the surgeon signs off on it.” Walker’s return would help the team use free-agent signing C.J. Gardner-Johnson in more of a hybrid role at nickelback and safety.

Walker has been setback-free since a Week 3 torn Achilles ended his season. Returning for OTAs may be a longshot but Walker is on track to be ready for Week 1. Signed to a three-year, $25 million deal in March, Walker will count $11.3 million against the 2023 cap.

Walker confirmed suspicions on Monday when he took to Twitter to share the news. Walker has started every game for the Lions this season and was re-signed to a three-year, $25 million contract in March. Safety JuJu Hughes replaced Walker in Sunday’s game against the Vikings and could be in line for a bigger role with Walker now done for the season.

Walker left in the first quarter of the game and had to be helped off the field. Doctors carted him to the locker room after an initial evaluation and he was quickly ruled out. This appears to be a long-term injury for Detroit’s 2021 tackles leader. JuJu Hughes replaced Walker in the lineup.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the deal includes $17 million guaranteed. The No. 82 overall pick of the 2018 draft, Walker has been a starter since 2019. He has only three career picks but is sturdy both in coverage and against the run. Already 27, Walker probably doesn’t have another step to take, but he is a solid presence at the back end of coach Dan Campbell’s defense.

Walker was forced out of the game after halftime. The Lions’ safety also dealt with a knee injury in recent weeks and didn’t suit up in Weeks 9-10.

Down for several moments following a play in the end zone, Walker eventually limped to the sideline. He was announced as “questionable” but remained in the locker room. It had the looks of a potentially serious injury. Walker’s injury could not have come at a worse time, as the Lions just traded fellow starting safety Quandre Diggs. Tavon Wilson, Will Harris and C.J. Moore are the next men up.

Walker (6’1/206) was a four-year starter at Louisiana-Lafayette, logging 11 career tackles for loss, 26 pass breakups, and eight interceptions. He was a third-team All-Sun Belt pick in 2017. Long armed (33 ½") with good-enough speed (4.51), Walker is a physical safety with plus ball skills who some scouts projected to transition into a press- and/or Cover-3 corner role.