Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mykal Walker is back in the NFL, and has signed with the team’s Week 1 foe.
Walker has signed with the New York Jets’ practice squad, according to the NFL transactions page for Monday. The 28-year-old Walker had been with the Arizona Cardinals in training camp, but was released as part of Arizona’s final roster cuts last week.
Walker played with the Steelers as one of several stop-gap measures to attempt to plug an injury-riddled defense during the 2023 season. Along with Myles Jack and Blake Martinez, Walker was thrust into a significant role after co-starters Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander both suffered season-ending injuries.
Walker signed with the Steelers’ practice squad on Oct. 30. Three weeks laster, he started against the Cleveland Browns and played 63 snaps of defense alongside Elandon Roberts.
In total, Walker appeared in eight games and made five starts in the regular season for the Steelers, recording 33 tackles, two for a loss, one interception and two passes defended. He also started the team’s Wild Card playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Despite the fact that Alexander, Holcomb and Jack did not return to the Steelers in 2024, the team did not-resign Walker, electing to pair Roberts with Patrick Queen in a big-time free agent signing from the Baltimore Ravens and 2024 third-round draft pick Payton Wilson. Walker moved on to the Washington Commanders, where he played in all 17 games. He signed with the Cardinals this March.
Walker started his career by playing three seasons for the Atlanta Falcons, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Fresno State. He played 49 games over three seasons and made 20 starts for the Falcons.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: NY Jets Sign Former Steelers LB Ahead of Week 1 Matchup
