Total Pro Sports
Veteran NFL safety and former Detroit Lions standout Tracy Walker has been suspended for the first 12 games of the upcoming 2025 season.
On Wednesday afternoon, the NFL announced that Tracy Walker has been issued a 12-game ban, but the reason for this is unclear. Walker, who’s still a free agent, is still eligible to sign with a team and play in the preseason.
A suspension of double-digit games usually comes if a player is a repeat violator of league rules/policies, or if they faced severe legal troubles. In 2022, the NFL suspended Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson 11 games after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual misconduct.
In 2019, then-Oakland Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict was suspended for the rest of the regular season (12 games) for a dangerous head hit on Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle. Burfict, a repeat offender, had previously been suspended three times.
Tracy Walker didn’t have any previous known off-the-field issues, so we’ll have to wait and see what led to the suspension.
The Lions cut Tracy Walker in a cap-saving move last offseason. He was later picked up by the San Francisco 49ers and signed to their practice squad, but the NFC West club cut him before playing a single snap for them.
Walker saw limited playing time as a rookie in 2018, but he showed signs of stardom after recording a superb Pro Football Focus grade of 89.8. After a strong sophomore season, however, Walker never found that star-like form again.
But Walker’s experience will surely make him an attractive free agent for other teams when he’s eligible to play again. He’s still a capable starter in this league, after all.
