The Bucs are signing inside linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. off the Colts practice squad and putting him on Tampa Bay’s active roster, per Walker’s agent Ryan Matha.

If Tampa Bay fans have heard of Walker before, that’s because he began the summer with the Buccaneers, but was released at the end of training camp when an injury kept him out for all of it. Walker then signed to the Colts practice squad,  where he’s remained all season.

Bucs Timeline With ILB Anthony Walker Jr.

Anthony Walker Jr. was expected to be the third inside linebacker on the Bucs roster backing up Lavonte David and SirVocea Dennis. He was a vocal communicator fitting in well during OTAs and mini-camp. He suffered some kind of leg injury during the downtime between mini-camp and training camp, and that was the last we saw of him practicing.

Walker did not participate at all during training camp last summer as he was placed on the NFI (non-football injury) list upon his arrival. It was unfortunate for him and Tampa Bay as he had really made his presence felt while operating the defense in the spring. Head coach Todd Bowles stated that Walker had a lower leg injury that kept him out of action.

Bucs ILB Anthony Walker Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

When the Bucs signed the inside linebacker this offseason, it was believed they were getting an upgrade who was quicker and provided experience and leadership at a position that remains critical to Todd Bowles’ defense.

There was also a personal connection in Tampa coming from a long-standing friendship between Lavonte David and Walker. The two trained together in Miami for years, growing up in that area, and Walker was even staying at David’s house during OTAs.

Walker will certainly have fresh legs as he has not played in a game for the Colts while being on their practice squad all season. There’s a good chance he’ll get important snaps for the Bucs, maybe even starting on Sunday at Carolina as the team trues to win the division and clinch a playoff spot.

What Do The Bucs Have At ILB?

Some of the reason for the signing of Walker is because starter SirVocea Dennis has a hip injury and was out last game. With Lavonte David starting at one position, it was veteran Deion Jones that got most of the snaps at the other starting spot on Thursday Night Football against the Falcons with Nick Jackson also getting some snaps.

Bucs ILB Anthony Walker Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Tampa Bay had David, Jones, Jackson and John Bullock available to play, though Bullock is more of a special teamer. The addition of Walker could lead to the team cutting Jones, Jackson or Bullock since there needs to be a roster spot open – although Tampa Bay could target another position for the roster move.

Would the Bucs throw Walker into a starting role right away? Likely not since he’d only have a week to prepare and there is such a big game on the line with Tampa Bay traveling to Carolina with the NFC South lead at stake. But, the Bucs defense is in dire straits at the moment. It’s not just inside linebacker that is the problem. There are many issues we could point to for why the defense has struggled as the Bucs have lost five of six games.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles – Photo by: USA Today

And as crazy as it sounds, Tampa Bay just needs to beat the Panthers twice and they’re in the playoffs as the NFC South champion for a fifth straight season. It won’t be easy, but a chance at the postseason remains a real possibility for the 7-7 Bucs heading into Week 16.