The Browns’ Thursday night win over the Steelers comes at a cost. Linebacker and defensive captain Anthony Walker will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn quad during the game, CBS Sports NFL Insider Josina Anderson confirmed. Walker’s injury recovery period is expected to be five to seven months, according to ESPN.
Walker was injured during the second half of Cleveland’s 29-17 victory over Pittsburgh. He was transported off the pitch after being assessed on the pitch by team medical staff. Despite Walker’s absence, the Browns’ defense limited the Steelers to just one field goal in the second half while recording the game’s final score on Denzel Ward’s fumble in the end zone.
A six-year veteran, Walker broke into the NFL with the Colts as a fifth-round pick in the 2017 draft. He became a full-time starter on defense in his sophomore season while helping the Colts qualify for the divisional round of the playoffs. Walker spent two more years at Indianapolis before signing a one-year contract with the Browns in March 2021. Despite missing four games with injury, Walker still managed to register 113 tackles during his career. first year in Cleveland.
Walker had 13 tackles and a league-high four tackles this season before being injured. Jacob Phillips, a 2020 third-round pick who has four regular-season starts under his belt, is expected to replace Walker in the starting lineup.