Thursday Injury Report: Walker has to Start Over

NASHVILLE – Delanie Walker will have to settle for second best.

An ankle injury not only sidelined the Tennessee Titans tight end early in Sunday’s victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, it also cost him the opportunity to extend his streak of consecutive games played with at least one reception. Walker had caught at least one pass in 83 straight. That was every game he played since he signed with the Titans in 2013 and the second-longest streak in franchise history behind Frank Wycheck’s 99 in a row (1996-2002).

He did not have a pass thrown his way on any of the five plays during which he was on the field against the Chargers.

Now it seems safe to wonder when he will have the opportunity to start another streak.

Walker sat out all of Thursday’s workout because of the latest issue, the second straight day that he did not participate. The situation calls into question his availability for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Nissan Stadium.

“It’s unfortunate that injuries happen,” offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, formerly the Titans tight ends coach, said. “Obviously, I know Delanie very well. You always want guys to (have) a good mindset if they have to come back from an injury. He’s engaged. Delanie knows where he’s at. … He’ll be ready when he’s ready.”

In Walker’s first five seasons with Tennessee, he missed just four games. The Titans went 0-4 in those contests. They learned to live without him last year, when he missed the final 15 games with a severe ankle injury sustained in the season-opener. They won nine of 15 with him on the sidelines.

Now they might have to see if they can do it again.

The complete Titans-Buccaneers injury report for Thursday:

TENNESSEE

Did not practice: Sharif Finch, OLB (shoulder); Adoreé Jackson, CB (foot); Chris Milton, CB (calf); and Delanie Walker, TE (ankle).

Limited participation: Jurrell Casey, DT (shoulder); and Rashaan Evans, ILB (shoulder).

Full participation: Jayon Brown, ILB (groin); Jack Conklin, T (quad); Corey Davis, WR (illness); Nate Davis, G (rib); and Wesley Woodyard, ILB (ankle).

TAMPA BAY

Did not practice: Alex Cappa, G (forearm); Jack Cichy, ILB (elbow); and O.J. Howard, TE (hamstring).

Limited participation: Demar Dotson, T (hamstring).

Full participation: Breshad Perriman, WR (hamstring).