Tag: Anthony Walker Jr.

Dolphins sticking with LB Anthony Walker Jr. in starting lineup

The Dolphins benched David Long Jr. last week and they plan on keeping him on the sideline in Week 10 too.

The Miami Dolphins benched linebacker David Long Jr., one of their four defensive team captains, in Week 9 and he won’t be getting his job back in Week 10.

“I thought [Anthony Walker Jr.] went out there and did a good job of both executing not only his assignment but communicating to the defense overall and trying to help guys out,” Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver told reporters Friday.

“That’ll be a decision based week-to-week. Love [Long]. He’s a captain. He’s an outstanding teammate. At this particular time, we just think ‘Walk’ gives us the best chance to go out there and execute from a defensive standpoint.”

Not only was Long yanked from the starting lineup against the Buffalo Bills, he didn’t play a single snap in the Dolphins’ 30-27 loss.

Long, 28, received a grade below 42 from Pro Football Focus in each of his last four games and was credited with missing 12 tackles during that stretch. Walker received a 54.8 grade against the Bills.

“It was less about David Long not doing something and more about we felt like ‘Walk’ needed and deserved the opportunity and has skills of his own in his own right that were the best man for the job,” McDaniel explained earlier in the week.

“It’s not necessarily fun, but the whole team and organization are depending on you to try to do what you see as very best. And I think David respects that and regards that. I’m sure he disagrees, but it’s about understanding intent and I think the whole team loves David. That’s why they voted him captain, but also you have to – I think it was the football team was excited for ‘Walk’s’ opportunity which he made the most of, for sure.”

Walker, 29, joined the Dolphins in March after spending the last three seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

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LB Anthony Walker Jr. reportedly set to join Dolphins on one-year deal

The linebacker reportedly is departing after three seasons in Cleveland.

After three seasons with the Cleveland Browns, NFL rumors have been swirling that linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. is off to the Miami Dolphins.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Walker Jr. is taking his talents to South Beach. He is signing a one-year deal with the Dolphins after signing three consecutive one-year deals with the Browns.

This means the Browns not only need a new MIKE linebacker, but they also need a new defensive team captain as Walker Jr. served as one over the last two seasons. Known as a strong locker room presence, Walker Jr. fought through multiple injuries that unfortunately have taken a toll on his body after suffering a season-ender in 2022.

Walker Jr. started 27 games for the Browns during his tenure, racking up 170 solo tackles, seven tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble.

Best of luck to Walker Jr. as he starts the next chapter of his career in Miami.

5 pending free agents the Browns should let walk

The team should not bring back these five players

What will the Cleveland Browns do with pending free agents like linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. and running back Kareem Hunt?

After a rough ending to a rather fun and exciting 2023 season, the Browns are turning their sites to next year with free agency just a couple of months away. Cleveland has several decisions to make just in their building with 26 players set to be free agents.

The NFL season never ends after the Super Bowl free agency starts about a month later and the draft around six weeks after free agency. Some underachieving young and veteran players find themselves replaced later by rookies. There will be some tough decisions with players who just aren’t able to give enough anymore as they get older and slower.

The Browns have a good problem where they will be letting role players walk because they can’t keep everyone and the roster is good. Here are the five players I would not return for next season if I were general manager Andrew Berry.

Anthony Walker Jr.’s season is over, DE Sam Kamara signed back to Browns’ active roster

The Browns have made a couple of roster moves.

The Cleveland Browns have ended the season of linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. and have added defensive lineman Sam Kamara back to their active roster.

While the Browns were hopeful that Walker Jr. would be able to return from getting his knee scoped three weeks ago in time for the playoffs, those dreams have been dashed as he has landed on Injured Reserve. His season is over.

Walker Jr. was Cleveland’s 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee and the recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award. Look for Sione Takitaki to continue to take over the MIKE linebacker duties the rest of the way out.

To take his spot on the 53-man roster, the Browns have once again signed Kamara back to the active roster. Kamara was released earlier this week, cleared waivers, and was signed back to the practice squad. The Browns now have an opening on their practice squad to fill once again.

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Browns Inactives: Denzel Ward returns, Anthony Walker Jr. OUT vs. Bears

Now 90 minutes from gametime, the Browns have released their inactives against the Bears as Denzel Ward will make his return

Welcome to Week 15 as the Cleveland Browns host the Chicago Bears on a messy, rainy afternoon. It might be gloomy outside, but the Browns get some good news as Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward is set to return to the lineup after missing the last three games with a shoulder injury. Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., who was listed as questionable, will not play, however.

For a team as beat up as the Browns, placing four significant contributors on Injured Reserve this week alone, getting Ward on the field as Justin Fields and the Bears come to Cleveland Browns Stadium is a massive boost for the defense.

Given those injuries, we will also see the Cleveland Browns’ debut of rookie defensive tackle Siaki Ika, who has been inactive every game this season. Fourth round defensive end Isaiah McGuire will see his second bout of action as well.

With these two rookies off the bench, who is inactive for the Browns today? Here is the list of players who will not dress against the Bears as Cleveland looks to continue to hold their wildcard slot even tighter.

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Browns Studs and Duds: Who shined brightest in the win against the Jaguars?

The Cleveland Browns found help among their reinforcements to defeat the Jaguars, led by David Njoku and Martin Emerson Jr.

The Cleveland Browns beat the Jacksonville Jaguars in a messy fistfight. Neither team could hold onto the ball. However, the Browns fought through their mistakes as they clinched a gritty win as they were led by tight end David Njoku and cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. The Browns game felt more like an execution as they lost multiple starters. Credit to the team: the backups filled their roles without losing a beat.

Defensive backs Ronnie Hickman, Cameron Mitchell, and D’Anthony Bell did a great job of filling in for Juan Thornhill, Grant Delpit, and Denzel Ward. Starting fullback Nick Harris did an outstanding job stepping in for Ethan Pocic. Harris looked better as a pulling lineman than as a fullback. The Browns have suffered various injuries this season, but the replacements have been ready to play. Sunday showed that struggle happened once again.

The Browns starters had great games with uncharacteristic mistakes. Amari Cooper fumbled the ball after a heroic effort by a defender. Joe Flacco threw a horrible interception that killed a Browns’ drive. Both players were able to steady their performance and help the team secure the win.

Here are the Studs and Duds in the Browns’ victory against the Jaguars. 

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Browns LB Anthony Walker Jr. forces teams third turnover of the day

Another turnover for the Browns defense

The defense of the Cleveland Browns continues to assert their will against the Jacksonville Jaguars as they force their third turnover of the day. After a completed pass linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. rips the ball out as the Browns defense recovered the ball deep in Jaguar territory.

This was the defense’s third forced turnover after Martin Emerson Jr. recorded two interceptions in the first half. Jim Schwartz has his unit flying all over the field making plays time and time again. The Jaguar offense has not been able to establish anything today against this defense.

Cleveland’s defense has been nasty this week at home it feels like Jacksonville will be hard-pressed to score two more touchdowns to tie the game. As long as the offense doesn’t turn the ball over the defense should be able to continue shutting down the Jaguars and Cleveland can continue to dominate at home and get their eighth win of the year.

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Anthony Walker Jr.’s monumental week continues as Browns honor him with Ed Block Courage Award

The veteran linebacker gets his second award of the week.

The Cleveland Browns have a strong leader in linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. He has been well respected amongst his peers in the locker room ever since his arrival to Cleveland before the 2021 season. However, he is now getting recognition for what he is doing outside of the building as well. First, he was named the Browns’ Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee earlier this week. Now, he has also been named the team’s Ed Block Courage Award recipient of 2023 as well.

Each team nominates one player every year who meets the following qualifications:

“The Ed Block Courage Award is given annually to a member of each of the 32 NFL teams who best exemplifies the qualities of Ed Block – the former head athletic trainer of the Baltimore Colts – based on courage, compassion, commitment and community.”

Who knows how much longer Walker Jr. has in a Browns’ uniform? However, the impact he has made on his teammates and the community during his time in Cleveland has been notable. He now finally gets the recognition he deserves.

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Anthony Walker Jr. named Browns’ nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award

Captain Anthony Walker Jr. was announced as the Cleveland Browns nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award

Cleveland Browns linebacker and captain Anthony Walker Jr. was announced as the team’s nominee for the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. The Walter Payton Award is one of the most prestigious awards in the NFL. The award is given to the player who made the most positive impact in their community.

Walker became an important figure in the Browns’ Stay In The Game, the flagship program of the Cleveland Browns Foundation. Stay In The Game! supports students staying in school and combats chronic absenteeism in the community. In September, Walker hosted a Back to School event at Shaker Heights Middle School where he distributed over 100 backpacks and school supplies to students. Afterward, he treated the students to ice cream. 

Walker showed further support for Stay In The Game! when he dedicated his cleats from My Cause, My Cleats to the organization. Walker took drawings from elementary school students and incorporated them into a design for the cleats he wore during the Broncos’ game.

During Thanksgiving week, Walker celebrated students for their attendance by awarding them with a Turkey Bowl tournament and a Thanksgiving meal.

Walker will wear a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year helmet decal for the rest of the season. The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year winner will be announced during the NFL Honors program on Thursday, Feb 8.  Each nominee will receive a 55-thousand-dollar donation, and the winner will receive a 250-thousand-dollar donation to a charity of their choice. 

Walker is doing important work in Northeast Ohio and it’s good to see him get recognized by the league. Teams are at their best when leaders on the field are trying to contribute even more off the field. The team was very proud of Walker for being named the nominee. Watch below as Greg Newsome II informs Walker he is the nominee.

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Browns Inactives: Juan Thornhill in, Anthony Walker Jr. out vs. Broncos

The Browns have announced their inactives as Juan Thornhill will play. Anthony Walker Jr. is out against the Broncos

Coming into this Week 12 matchup against the Denver Broncos, the Cleveland Browns saw two starters with questionable designations. Safety Juan Thornhill and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. were not 100 percent to give it a go this week in practice. However, as the Browns release their inactives list, Thornhill will play in the Mile High City, while Walker Jr. will miss this matchup against the 5-5 Broncos.

Look for Sione Takitaki to start at MIKE linebacker in Walker Jr.’s absence, with Tony Fields II taking over as SAM (Takitaki’s usual post). The Browns did get linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk back from Injured Reserve this week as well to soften the blow of Walker Jr.’s nagging hamstring. To help fill the void of their missing defensive backs, the Browns also brought up two young guns from the practice squad.

Here is the full list of inactives as the Browns look to make it four straight, taking on the Broncos on the road.