Stampede Blue
Chris Ballard has been active as of late in trying to find new players to add to the Colts roster deep into the offseason. On Tuesday reports emerged that the Colts scheduled a Thursday workout with one of their former starting Linebackers: Anthony Walker Jr.
Walker Jr. was drafted by the Colts in Round 5 of the 2017 Draft, during General Manager Chris Ballard’s first draft with the Colts. From 2018-2020 he formed a dynamic duo with Shaquille Darius Leonard in the middle of the Colts Defense, and while Leonard cleaned up the awards, Walker Jr. made strong contributions as the MIKE LB quarterbacking the Defense.
In his 3 seasons with the Colts as a full time starter, Anthony Walker Jr recorded:
The former Northwestern Wildcat left the Colts following his rookie deal expiring and the emergence of Bobby Okereke as his successor, spending the 2021-2023 seasons with the Cleveland Browns and 2024 with the Miami Dolphins. He marks the 3rd member of the 2023-2025 Dolphins defenses to work out with the Colts, with former Dolphins Cornerback Xavien Howard signed mid August and recently released 2025 Dolphin Mike Hilton working out on Wednesday with the Colts.
Since departing the Colts, Walker made strong contributions for the Browns in 2021 with a team high 113 tackles in just 13 games. However injuries have cost him playing time afterwards, starting with the most severe injury in 2022 with a torn quad that ended his season and more alarmingly, also had a knee infection mid-2023 season that required hospitalization and surgery. Walker at the time feared it would cost him his football career, or worse. Thankfully the surgery was a success and he was able to return to football in 2024 with the Dolphins, starting 8 games last year.
Anthony Walker Jr. during his NFL career has been revered as a leader and as a green sticker player, serving as the on field communication hub of the defense. He earned the title of Browns defensive Captain in 2022-2023, and was even the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee and Ed Block courage nominee in 2023 for his leadership on and off the field as well as his commitment to the Cleveland community and work in the Browns social justice initiatives.
The Colts have just 4 Linebackers on the roster: longtime captain Zaire Franklin who has been with the team since 2018, former Bengals LB Joe Batchie, special teams standouts Cameron McGrone and Segun Olubi. 2024 rookie LB Jaylon Carlies is out for at least the first 4 games on IR designated to return with a lingering ankle issue. Perhaps they will look to add Walker Jr as more veteran leadership and depth to the shorthanded position.
