Optimism is high as Tracy Walker rehabs his torn Achilles, and he recently went all the way to saying he’ll be ready for OTAs.
Since he torn his Achilles early in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings, Lions safety Tracy Walker has posted positive updates about his rehab progress. While it’s safe to say he wouldn’t post anything other than positivity, good news is also better than no news.
From the start, back in October via Ben Raven of MLive, Walker stated a goal for the completion of his rehab.
"You know what? I’m circling right now, If I had to be honest with you, OTAs,” Walker said. “You know, that’s the first step. First step is trying to get ready for OTAs. If I can do a little something, OTAs. From that point on, but like I said, for OTAs, I got to get out of this boot. I take it one step at a time, one day at a time. I don’t ever want to get too ahead if that makes sense.”"
Tracy Walker says he’ll be ready for Lions’ OTAs
On Wednesday, coincidentally or not Feb. 1, a Lions fan asked on Twitter if Walker would be ready for OTAs. Walker responded.
Yes I’ll be ready otas
— Tracy Walker #21 (@TracyWalkerIII) February 1, 2023
OTAs in mid-May would be a little less than eight months out from the Achilles’ tear for Walker. There’s a difference between being deemed “ready” and “cleared for full activity”. As a Lions-related example, cornerback Jeff Okudah also made nice progress all offseason and was a full-go (no PUP list) for training camp last summer after suffering his torn Achilles in Week 1 of 2021.
In any case, Walker being ready for Week 1 feels like a virtual lock as long as he avoids setbacks. OTAs is still a different question, as caution will be a definite, and being fully cleared in plenty of time training camp (like Okudah) should be no problem for Walker at this point.