The Indianapolis Colts made it clear after the announcement of their 53-man roster selection that they were looking to improve at the linebacker position.
The team quickly grabbed some depth when Chad Muma was awarded to Indianapolis via the waiver wire, but general manager Chris Ballard didn’t want to stop there.
“We’re going to bring some other guys in,” he said.
On Monday, the Colts announced they signed linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. to their practice squad, releasing defensive tackle Josh Tupou in a corresponding move.
Walker is a familiar face in Indianapolis. Ballard drafted the former Northwestern Wildcat in the fifth round back in 2017— his first draft on the job. Walker served as a starter in Indianapolis for three seasons, making 321 tackles in that span. He led the defense in the same category in 2019 with 124.
Walker eventually left the Colts in free agency, signing with the Browns in 2021. He spent three seasons in Cleveland, although his 2022 campaign was cut short due to a season-ending quad injury.
Walker spent 2024 with the Dolphins and remained in Florida with the Buccaneers during training camp and now returns to where it all started. Now 30 years old and without a spot on the official roster, Walker has work to do if he’s to see game action this season. But with Jaylon Carlies set to miss the first four games on injured reserve, Walker has a solid chance of being a practice squad elevation.