Delanie Walker won't be catching passes against the Raiders on Sunday.
The Titans tight end was questionable heading into the weekend with a right hamstring issue and was officially listed as out prior to the early games. According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, it was a close call.
Losing a veteran member of the offense like Walker could make things complicated. Tennessee's offense is complex and relies on a heavy amount of pre-snap shifting in order to attain certain matchups. Walker already had nine catches for 125 yards and a touchdown this season. While young quarterbacks tend to favor tight ends, Walker's benefit to Mariota is two-fold. So many of Tennessee's plays contain multiple pass outlets close to the line of scrimmage and can bail out Mariota when he's on the move.
Playing it safe with a hamstring injury is the right call this early in the season. Rarely do soft tissue injuries improve without significant rest and treatment. The Titans want Walker for the long haul if they're going to make a play for the division.
Here are the other inactives we are monitoring Sunday:
- Vikings rookie wideout Laquon Treadwell was a healthy scratch against the Panthers. Treadwell has yet to record a catch in his brief NFL career.
- Fellow first-round rookie wideout Josh Doctson (foot) also won't play, as the Redskins have ruled him out against the Giants. According to NFL Network's Kimberly Jones, Doctson's Achilles didn't feel up to par when he was warming up, hence the late and unexpected scratch.