For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, one of the more encouraging developments coming out of mandatory minicamp has been the steady return of second-year edge rusher David Walker, who missed his entire rookie season after suffering a torn ACL. What once looked like a lost year in his development is now beginning to show signs of momentum as the team heads toward training camp.
Walker entered the league with intriguing upside as an explosive pass rusher, but his trajectory was immediately halted by the knee injury that forced him into a full year of rehab rather than game action. That optimism appears to be growing again. Following minicamp, Bowles offered one of his most positive evaluations yet of the young defender’s progress.
“He’s starting to look like himself again,” Bowles said, pointing to Walker’s improved burst and movement during on-field work. Although Tampa Bay was careful not to overextend him during offseason practices, Walker still managed to flash in limited reps. Coaches noted that his get off at the line of scrimmage is beginning to resemble the traits that made him worthy of the 4th round pick used on him. The Buccaneers have been searching for consistency off the edge opposite Yaya Diaby, cycling through multiple options over the past several seasons without a long-term answer emerging.
Now, having bolstered the position with Rueben Bain Jr and Al-Quadin Muhammad, David Walker does not need to be forced into heavy reps and can ease his way back following the ACL tear, but still has the opportunity to flash his skills.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs’ Todd Bowles encouraged by David Walker’s performance
Reporting by Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire | USA TODAY Network
