Walker was released by the Lions on Tuesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Walker spent his first six seasons in Detroit, accumulating 398 tackles (291 solo), three interceptions, four sacks and one forced fumble across 79 games (43 starts). He will now look for a fresh start if he and Detroit have no intentions on working on a new deal.

Walker did not log a snap on defense during Saturday's win over the Broncos.

EDGE Analysis

A struggling Lions secondary is looking for answers, and Walker has now gone two straight games with all of his snaps coming on special teams while Ifeatu Melifonwu logged nearly every rep on defense. While C.J. Gardner-Johnson is returning soon to reclaim the starting job anyway, Walker does not appear to be a part of the rotation at all anymore.

Walker registered six tackles (three solo) including a sack in Monday's 26-14 win over the Raiders.

EDGE Analysis

Walker's sack came on the Raiders' final drive in the fourth quarter on a third-down play that ultimately led to a turnover on downs. It was his first sack since Week 1 of the 2022 season, and his 35 tackles on the year is second on the team behind Alex Anzalone's 57.

Walker had seven tackles (five solo) in Sunday's 38-6 loss to the Ravens.

EDGE Analysis

The seven tackles Sunday were a season-high for Walker, who has played in at least 93 percent of defensive snaps since Week 3. He lost the starting safety job due to the emergence of Brian Branch but retook that mantle after C.J. Gardner-Johnson landed on IR after Week 2. Walker and the Lions will look to get back on track in Week 8 against the Raiders at home.

Walker will start Sunday against the Falcons, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The sixth-year pro is getting the nod with starting safeties Kerby Joseph (hip) and C.J. Gardner-Johnson (pectoral) out with injuries. Walker started 37 games for Detroit between 2019 and 2022 but lost his starting spot in training camp when Brian Branch emerged as the nickel cornerback and Gardner-Johnson moved to safety. The 2018 third-round pick recorded more than 100 tackles in each of the two seasons, 2019 and 2021, in which he started at least 12 games.

Walker appears to have lost his starting job after Brian Branch's recent promotion to the first-team defense, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Walker has drawn relatively good reports out of training camp given that he is coming off of a torn Achilles. However, Branch has forced his way into a starting job at nickel corner, which has pushed free-agent acquisition C.J. Gardner-Johnson to safety alongside Kerby Joseph. Seemingly the odd man out, Walker looks likely to finish well below the 800ish snaps he averaged from 2019 to 2021.

Walker (Achilles) worked with Detroit's first-team defense Saturday, Benjamin Raven of MLive reports.

EDGE Analysis

Walker suffered an Achilles injury that sidelined him from Week 4 of last year but has since had the offseason to move past the issue. The team captain started 15 games for the Lions in 2021, racking up 108 tackles, six pass breakups and one interception. Expect the veteran to start alongside second-year safety Kerby Joseph ahead of the coming season.

Walker (Achilles) was a partial participant during OTAs and expects full clearance for training camp, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Walker led the Lions with 108 tackles in 2021 but played in just three games last year before tearing his Achilles. Detroit's medical staff is being cautious with the 2018 third-round pick, but he sounds confident with how his rehab is going. If he's available to start 2023, Walker figures to start alongside C.J. Gardner-Johnson, though recent draft picks Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch could factor into the mix as well.

Walker recently posted videos on social media of himself aggressively going through an agility drill, Woodward Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Walker missed most of last season after injuring his Achilles in Week 3. While he appears on track for the start of OTAs on May 23, it is unclear how slowly the Lions coaching staff may bring him along. When healthy, Walker is expected to team with C.J. Gardner-Johnson to lead a safety group that also includes a pair of high draft picks from the past two years in Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch.

Walker (Achilles) recently suggested via his personal Twitter account that he will be ready for the Lions' offseason training program this spring.

EDGE Analysis

After tearing his Achilles in late September, it would be an impressive feat for Walker to make it back for the start of offseason workouts. Even if the Lions' coaching staff has different plans for its standout safety, it at least seems that Walker could be available well before the start of the 2023 season opener.