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Walker was added to the Jaguars’ injury report on Tuesday, apparently having suffered a ribs injury in practice. The Jaguars’ No. 2 edge rusher might not be needed to win an expectedly lopsided affair, but having him on the field will certainly be helpful for the Jaguars D/ST.
The deal includes $50 million at signing and $77 million in total guarantees. Walker, 25, has sacked opposing quarterbacks 29 times in regular season games over his four-year career. He banked four sacks last year, plus 42 quarterback pressures and a career-high 13.0 percent quarterback pressure rate. Fellow Jaguars EDGE Josh Hines-Allen is under contract through 2028. Today’s deal keeps the starting EDGE duo intact long-term.
The front office could invest heavily in the defensive line, which currently includes three projected starters who have just one year remaining on their contracts. Former No. 1 overall pick, EDGE Travon Walker, is among them and is coming off a four-sack season, matching his 2022 rookie season total. He recorded 10 in 2024 and 11 in 2023. The team could draft an EDGE to groom behind Walker just in case they don’t complete an extension before the season. The Jaguars’ projected starting DTs are Arik Armstead, 32, and DaVon Hamilton, 29. Both players are scheduled to enter free agency next offseason. Given their age, it is reasonable to assume the Jaguars draft at least one interior defender in April. The team is returning every member of their offensive line this year. Shipley believes the Jaguars will use “at least one pick on a developmental offensive lineman.”
Walker returned to practice for two limited sessions last week and played off a questionable tag on Sunday. Potentially facing the Brady Cook-led Jets, Walker should be able to return with a sack or two in Week 15.
Walker hasn’t played since Week 11, but was able to get in two limited sessions this week and appears to be trending towards a return in a must-win AFC South top-of-division showdown with the Colts. The pass rusher has had a somewhat disappointing year to this point with just 2.5 sacks in nine games. Arik Armstead (hand) and Eric Murray (neck) are also questionable for Jacksonville.
Almost undoubtedly a limited session after missing most of the last two weeks. The Jaguars are likely checking just how much Walker can give them ahead of Sunday’s massive top-of-AFC-South showdown with the Colts. It’s his first practice since ahead of Week 11.
Walker hasn’t practiced at all the last two weeks and will enter the Week 14 conversation on the questionable line. Walker has just 2.5 sacks in nine games this year and has been a bit of a disappointment after back-to-back 10-sack years in 2023 and 2024.
Walker missed Week 12 with the knee issue and looks likely to sit for at least one more game. Walker has just 2.5 sacks this year. His absence doesn’t change much for Cam Ward and the Titans, who are taking on the Jags this week.
He did not practice all week with the knee injury, which we haven’t seen much about publicly. CBs Jarrian Jones (quad) and Jourdan Lewis (neck) are both questionable for the Jaguars as well. Walker’s absence will blunt their pass rush, perhaps helping Michael Wilson to another nice day on Sunday.
Walker sat out in Week 5 after undergoing surgery to correct the wrist injury he suffered in Week 5. Despite the absence, Walker ranks and/or ties for second on the team in quarterback pressures (14) and sacks (two). His return is a huge help to a Jaguars defense that is tasked with containing a Seahawks passing attack averaging an NFL-high 9.2 yards per passing attempt.
Walker was attempting to play just over a week after having surgery on his wrist but ultimately did not do enough to avoid being inactive. A win against the Chiefs will give the Jaguars more wins through five games than they had in all of the 2024 season.
Walker underwent surgery on his wrist last week. While the star pass rusher is not expected to be out long-term, a one-game absence was always the most likely outcome. According to Rapoport, the Jaguars will allow Walker to decide how he feels before game time, but added that Walker seems like a “long shot” to play at this point. Walker has totaled 12 tackles, two TFLs, and two sacks in four games this season.
Coen noted that Walker could even play in Week 5 when the Jags take on the Chiefs on Monday. Walker left Week 4’s game against the 49ers with the wrist issue and was ruled out after a short trip to the locker room. He saw a specialist later in the week and surgery was ultimately the best option. We would still anticipate Walker to miss at least one game, but the good news is that this isn’t a long-term issue. Walker has two sacks and 14 pressures this year.
Walker reportedly met with a specialist this week regarding the wrist injury he suffered in Week 4. The fact that ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler clarified that the injury is not season-ending suggests Walker could be out beyond Week 5. It’s a tough break for the Jaguars’ defense. Walker has 14 quarterback pressures and two sacks on the year.
He came back to the sideline flexing the wrist, which would seem to suggest that X-Rays checked out okay for Walker. But it doesn’t seem like he’ll be returning and is simply watching the rest of the game with his teammates. Walker had a pair of sacks coming into this game and may be headed for a long-term absence.
This doesn’t come as much of a surprise. The former No. 1 overall pick from the 2022 NFL Draft has totaled 10 or more sacks in each of his last two seasons and has 24 sacks to his name overall. Walker has shown continued development as a premier pass rusher in the league and has ranked 22nd or higher amongst EDGE rushers in quarterback pressures in 2023 and 2024, per PFF. He’ll now be under contract through the 2026 season, but it wouldn’t be surprising if we saw him sign a long-term extension before entering his contract year.
Walker has had 20.5 sacks and started all 34 games the last two years for the Jaguars after being the No. 1 overall pick in 2022. A fifth-year option pickup is all but assured at this point. From there, the Jaguars have some space to negotiate with as they’ll hold his rights for the next two years. Walker remains an obvious piece of the Jaguars core even if the defense has underachieved in back-to-back seasons.
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