With training camp on the horizon, many players are still dealing with injuries suffered last season. Such is the case for Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Carl Lawson and Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker. Neither is expected to suit up for the beginning of camp and both could miss the entire NFL preseason.
After a promising rookie campaign, Lawson missed most of last season after tearing the ACL in his right knee in 2018. It was a bleak moment in an already down season for the 2017 fourth round pick out of Auburn. He played in seven games and recorded just six tackles and a sack.
Carl Lawson aiming to be ready for Week One after rehabbing torn ACL https://t.co/JHgr4FFwee
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 8, 2019
A new coaching regime, led by head coach Zac Taylor, could put Lawson’s career back on track, but he’s got to get back on the field first. As it is, he’s eyeing being ready by Week 1 of the 2019 season. That means he’ll likely be held out of all of camp and the preseason.
“The goal is to be out there Week 1, and I’m feeling great,” Lawson told the NFL Network. “Thankfully, I can take care of my body, I’ve got a lot of different resources, I can fly to places, I can do everything underneath the sun because I have the money to do it. So, it’s been a great rehab process.”
Lawson was stellar as a rookie, recording 8.5 sacks as a situational pass rusher.
No timetable for Walker
While Lawson may be looking at a Week 1 return, there’s no timetable yet for Delanie Walker. There’s a chance the three-time Pro Bowler will open the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list after suffering an ankle injury last season.
Delanie Walker (ankle) unsure if he'll open training camp on PUP listhttps://t.co/WdyYgInuNB pic.twitter.com/8Eh8cvWaXg
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) July 8, 2019
Walker played in just one game in 2018, catching four passes for 52 yards. In the four seasons prior, Walker was one of the most productive tight ends in the game, never catching fewer than 63 passes for fewer than 800 yards from 2014-2017 with the Tennessee Titans.
