Injury issues continue to plague 2019 draft class

Fifth-round pick D'Andre Walker was placed on injured reserve Saturday

Two members of the Tennessee Titans’ 2019 draft class have yet to get started with their rookie seasons.

A third is now finished.

Outside linebacker D’Andre Walker was placed on injured reserve as part of a flurry of roster moves Saturday that included the addition of veteran running back Akeem Hunt, who played 30 games for Houston over the past three seasons. The team also added defensive end Eric Cotton, wide receiver DeAngelo Yancey and linebacker Ukeme Eligwe.

The Titans waived wide receiver Jalen Tolliver and waived-injured linebacker Riley Bullough and tackle Cody Conway.

Walker was a fifth-round draft pick and the fifth of six players the Titans selected in this year’s draft. He did not play in Thursday’s preseason opener against Philadelphia because of a groin injury.

An accomplished pass rusher at the University of Georgia (he had 13 sacks in his final two seasons) he figured to be a part of the team’s pass defense this season.

Tennessee has been without first-round pick Jeffery Simmons and second-round selection A.J. Brown due to injury issues of their own. Simmons, a defensive tackle out of Mississippi State, is on the Non-Football Injury list because of a knee injury sustained during draft preparation. Brown is on the active roster but has been sidelined with a leg issue sustained on the opening day of camp.

Third-round pick Nate Davis also sat out the game in Philadelphia due to an injury he sustained in the second week of camp.

Safety Amani Hooker (fourth round) and linebacker David Long (sixth round) were the only members of this year’s draft class to play against the Eagles. Hooker played more snaps than anyone on the defense.