Rob Demovsky
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Packers linebacker Quay Walker's full return to follow on Tuesday introduced some readability to 2 points he confronted this offseason: his ankle harm and his contract.
Walker revealed that he underwent surgical procedure in late Could, which additionally occurred to be shortly after the Packers declined to select up the fifth-year choice on his rookie deal.
Walker, the twenty second choose of the 2022 draft, stated he had been coping with the identical ankle harm most of final season. He missed the ultimate three video games of the common cause however returned for the playoff loss to the Eagles, solely to reinjure his ankle in that recreation.
Walker initially didn't assume surgical procedure can be vital.
“I got here again for OTAs and tried to do one thing, and I simply knew one thing ain't feeling proper,” Walker stated. “I did not need it simply to linger on all through the season, so I used to be like, I believe the good concept, most likely go in and have surgical procedure throughout OTAs and get it out the way in which.”
The primary phrase of the surgical procedure got here final month from common supervisor Brian Gutekunst, who didn't present another particulars on the time.
Walker started coaching camp on the bodily unable to carry out checklist, and though he was activated on July 23, he didn't do any 11-on-11 drills till Tuesday.
Walker stated he had little question that he can be prepared for the Sept. 7 season opener in opposition to the Lions.
Whereas Gutekunst has stated he wish to re-sign Walker, he was not prepared to tackle the fifth-year choice that may have assured Walker $14.751 million for the 2026 season.
“I ain't actually acquired to show nothing; I simply acquired to show myself proper,” Walker stated. “Ever since I acquired drafted, I been on this scenario the place folks might really feel in any other case, however I ain't actually fairly frightened about it. Every thing will care for itself.”
Walker has began 43 video games since getting into the league and have become simply the second Packers participant to file 100-plus tackles in his first three seasons. He led the workforce in tackles all three years.
“We all know what sort of participant Quay is and the extent that he can play at,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur stated Tuesday. “I assumed there was a stretch final season the place he was taking part in some actually good soccer. He was getting extra comfy inside our scheme, what we had been asking him to do, and he was taking part in at a excessive stage. So, it has been some time since he is performed soccer, so he must get again ingrained into that. Clearly, the extra reps he will get, the extra comfy I believe he'll really feel and the higher he'll play.”
