David Walker Is Injured
July 25th, 2025
Injured
So rookie fourth-round pick edge rusher David Walker left practice about 10 minutes early today with team medical staff. He was walking slowly and looking uncomfortable.
Normally, Joe wouldn’t make big deal about this, but Walker comes with a special label.
He was called a “Super Bowl” piece by Bucs outside linebackers coach Larry Foote. It was a moment of ecstasy immediately after Tampa Bay drafted Walker. That’s high praise.
And Bucs insider and legend Rondé Barber later said of Walker on his WFLA-TV show, “When you put the film on, you’re like, ‘Holy Cow!’ This dude has this mentality. This kind of like doggish, underdog mentality that makes people respect him. So this is my No. 1 impact rookie.
“… I’m telling you David Walker looks like a guy that [could bring edge pressure right away],” Barber said. “Now he’s undersized … but I would not be surprised if he’s a breakout star.
“A lot of people around football talk about this kid. He had an unbelievable Senior Bowl when he went, and I think that’s where he kind of jumped on people’s radar. …Also, he’s 25 years old, man. He’s been around. He’s not a kid. He’s ready to play.”
More information on Walker’s injury will be available soon, unless the Bucs keep it under wraps. The Bucs have a no-practice day tomorrow before resuming underwear football on Sunday.
Joe’s not freaking out — because Joe didn’t expect much from Walker this season.
July 25th, 2025 at 11:43 am
wouldnt be Bucs training camp without a serious injury to a DL that torpedoes their development!
July 25th, 2025 at 11:50 am
How much of mini camp did he miss sitting out in early June? All of it, or just a couple of days?
July 25th, 2025 at 11:53 am
Hype the hell out of a rookie and then they have an injury. Now we get to listen to updates from Bowles that tells us nothing. lol.
July 25th, 2025 at 11:54 am
I am more excited to see what Braswell shows or proves this season.
July 25th, 2025 at 11:57 am
Fingers crossed 🤞
July 25th, 2025 at 12:03 pm
Looked like cramping to me, he was down on the ground flexing the leg in pain and walked away barely hobbled. Get the kid some coconut water and resistance bands
July 25th, 2025 at 12:05 pm
He walked gingerly off the field but didnt look that bad from our perspective
July 25th, 2025 at 12:20 pm
Sorry to hear. Hope he recovers Ok.
July 25th, 2025 at 1:06 pm
Probably a cramp
July 25th, 2025 at 1:09 pm
He just has to get use to the Hillsborough County heat in July when your doing ANYTHING outside hopefully once he rehydrates and gets some rest it will work its self out.
July 25th, 2025 at 1:26 pm
He’s a 4th round draft pick,
I’m not expecting more from a 4th round draft pick
Than a 2nd rounder with a year under his belt
It’s Chris Braswell time to step up
July 25th, 2025 at 1:30 pm
I’m tired boss. I’m tired of hearing about how great some rookies are. I don’t wanna hear no mo about a rookie until he contributes meaningfully to a victory. Until then, rookies should be ignored.
July 25th, 2025 at 1:44 pm
Jack Burton Mercer, other do.
July 25th, 2025 at 2:01 pm
“Walker comes with a SPECIAL label.”
Special?
No one wants to be labeled special.
Walker, you have a special label. You’ll be riding on the short yellow bus.
July 25th, 2025 at 2:06 pm
Walker as a prospect was much better than Braswell. Not sure why shouldn’t be expecting much from Walker if healthy. He’s the most talented pass rusher on our roster unless Reddick can return to form
July 25th, 2025 at 2:25 pm
If Hassan moves on after this year, which I really hope he re-signs with the Bucs, but if he doesn’t I see Walker starting next year and will wreak havoc.
LFG Bucs……….Fire them cannons
July 25th, 2025 at 2:39 pm
Bucs need to practice more indoors. I’ve worked outside my whole life, and at 70 still work as a cart jockey, and starter a couple of days a week at a golf course. You don’t get stronger thinking the more outside you do, the more you’ll get use it. That’s total B.S.. The heat breaks you down physically, and mentally, there is no getting use to it. Bucs first two games are on the road indoors. Doesn’t it make more sense preparing for those games practicing in the Glazer shed? We’ve seen the hammys go, we’ve seen Kancey’s calf injuries the last two seasons. Wise up Bucs, practice smarter. There are severe heat warnings the next few days. Play it cool man, real cool. At the very least, do every other day outside.
July 25th, 2025 at 2:52 pm
SlyPirate. Special. Label. Walker. You forgot to mention Johnnie and Red. Oh, that reminds me. I enjoy a Scotch beverage and haven’t had one for a minute. Think I’ll go get some and enjoy it with some grilled red meat tonight. Thanks for the suggestion.
July 25th, 2025 at 2:53 pm
Can we ever draft or sign players that don’t get injured right away?
July 25th, 2025 at 3:01 pm
Hodad is right, more indoors practice. Also, why not do one night practice per week and maybe that will help improve the Bucs terrible night game record!
Todd, how will you improve our night game play?
July 25th, 2025 at 3:46 pm
10 to 1 dude has a cramp, damn the hysteria.
And whoever said he’s the best pass rusher on the team..seriously? He hasn’t made it through a few practices and never taken an NFL snap.
People be buggin’
July 25th, 2025 at 3:47 pm
There is a need to acclimate to the heat.
But not for 4 hours a day.
Hodad is spot on. The repetitive heat exposure is not improving their bodies. It’s taxing them. And unnecessary injuries happen to tired and overheated players.
July 25th, 2025 at 4:30 pm
Everyone is ready to hold a Coronation for every rookie that can spell edge rusher. Then they get hurt and it’s see you next year. It’s ridiculous to expect any rookie Edge to contribute to this team. You all know the story: “Edge rusher drops back in coverage.” Rinse and repeat- -this time it’s Walker.
July 25th, 2025 at 5:41 pm
Practice squad player
July 25th, 2025 at 5:41 pm
If healthy, he will make 10-15 splash plays this year off the bench! I keep saying it & hopefully it is not my love for the Bucs clouding my judgement but I think a monster will be released with our Defense and many players will be taking that next step in their development unleashing dominance in chaotic beauty
July 25th, 2025 at 6:26 pm
its called Football for a reason. Injuries are gonna happen. This won’t be the last. Lets hope its not severe.
July 25th, 2025 at 6:37 pm
David Walker is listed as 6-2, 260, 25 years old and a rookie. Chris Braswell is listed as 6-3, 255, 23 years old and in his second year. If Chris lives up to what Jason Licht said about shocking us is true he is ready to contribute in a big way. I am willing to give Walker a year to see what we have but will not be surprised if he can contribute sooner because of his age.
July 25th, 2025 at 6:39 pm
He is, of course, a rookie.
But, watch his tape.
He hits like a freight train.
Hope it’s nothing serious.
July 25th, 2025 at 7:22 pm
Cchead Says:
July 25th, 2025 at 5:41 pm
You’re dumb.
July 25th, 2025 at 8:32 pm
JimBob Buc asks Todd: “How will you improve our night game play?” Perhaps by playing to win and not playing “not to lose” as he did in KC last season when he did not go for the win in regulation. It would also be nice if they could win a game in the “throwback” unis as well just to put that stupid curse to rest.
July 26th, 2025 at 2:07 am
no we don’t need any fingers crossed….sign kyzir white already and secure the linebacking corps
July 26th, 2025 at 3:35 am
Ouch! Hope he just tweeked a hammy or had a cramp.
Go Bucs!
July 26th, 2025 at 10:01 am
This OLB crew is talented enough to think we wouldn’t need and/or expect any production from rookie draft picks like Walker and/or Roberts this season. Hell, these guys should be breathing on the back of Braswell to take snaps away from him.
We waited till the 4th round to finally get freaking help at edge rusher, and history does not favor these picks to be future starters at DE/OLB for us. Walker is in the mold of a situational pass rusher then a future every down starting OLB at the NFL level. Watts, Ramirez are built in a similar mold and have made zero impact for the OLB room. Guys Walker’s size that are consistent at the NFL level are the exception. Here’s hoping we found the next Elvis Dumervil or Dwight Freeney.
July 26th, 2025 at 10:01 am
Meant to say *Is not talented enough.
July 26th, 2025 at 11:31 am
Did he collide with Logan Hall?
July 26th, 2025 at 12:25 pm
Don’t want to be negative here, but it feels as though this is a repeat of years past, where we had so much hope heading into the season, just to be derailed by injuries. I am still hopeful because who knows how much Walker was really going to play? But with the Godwin and Wirfs news recently, I’m starting to feel that we are one of the most banged up, injury prone teams….GO BUCS!!!
July 26th, 2025 at 12:30 pm
Guys, relax. He’s a rookie backup who walked off the field by himself on the third-last play of practice. It’s July. He didn’t have an air cast on, he wasn’t carted off the field, he wasn’t flown to Tampa General in a helicopter.
It’s football. Even underwear football. Guys get dinged up, especially in the first few days of practice. Zero need to climb out on a ledge right now.
July 26th, 2025 at 2:30 pm
Walker reminds me of Dwight Freeney. I know I sound crazy but I’m not im right about this. Get better David. Go Bucs
July 26th, 2025 at 3:13 pm
I’d be even more disappointed if I hadnt expected this based on tge newspaper coverage