Video: Delanie Walker talks about his first game action in nearly a year

The one thing Delanie Walker refused to hear this week was ‘no.’

What he heard was plenty of cheers. Tennessee Titans fans at Nissan Stadium welcomed the veteran tight end back during warmups prior to Saturday’s preseason game with the New England Patriots. They expressed their delight when he took the field with the rest of the starting offense and roared their approval after his 11-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter provided the night’s first points.

“I heard them, that’s why I just kind of stood there,” he said of his touchdown celebration. “I heard them and the reaction was great. I love hearing that from the fans. I am glad they support me and have my back. That goes a long way.”

Walker, of course, had been gone a long time.

Before the Titans’ 22-17 loss to the Patriots, the last time he was in uniform and on the field in game conditions was Sept. 9, 2018. That day he dislocated an ankle in the regular season opener against the Miami Dolphins.

His recovery and rehab lasted well into the offseason, and coaches and trainers limited his workload throughout the early part of training camp. They elected not to play him in last week’s preseason opener at Philadelphia.

For this game – this home game – Walker did not give them the option.

“He put a couple days [of practice] in this week and wanted to play,” Vrabel said. “He was very adamant about playing and getting out here (Saturday) night.”

The Titans’ offense did not produce a first down until its third possession, a 15-yard reception by Walker on second-and-9. That drive ultimately lasted 10 plays, covered 87 yards and ended with his 11-yard touchdown catch.

That also ended Walker’s night, but in his mind it was a good start.

“It’s big – just missing a whole year, just being able to play again especially off the injury,” he said. “… A lot of people, analysts that said I wouldn’t be able to come back, I wouldn’t be strong, so it felt good. It showed them they were wrong.”

And he heard how the fans felt about him.