EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker David Walker, returning from a torn ACL that sidelined him for the entire 2025 season, generated relentless pressure that produced two defensive takeaways in the team’s Preseason Week One win over the New York Jets.
Walker’s edge rushes flushed Jets quarterback Bailey Zappe off his spot on both turnovers. On Rashad Wisdom’s interception, Walker hit a spin move and crossed over the tackle, accelerating Zappe’s progression. On Ayden Garnes’ pick-six, Walker lined up in a two-point stance off the right edge and blew past the tackle before the blocker could get his hands up. Walker also commanded several double teams in the trenches.
“It is really important to see him in the run game to see how he fares from that standpoint, especially against their first team so it will be great to see the rest of the film to see how he did,” Head Coach Todd Bowles said of Walker’s debut. “His talent is undeniable there from a pass rush standpoint, but we want to see his overall game.”
Walker, a three-time consensus All-American out of Central Arkansas, put up dominant numbers in his final college season in 2024 — 23 tackles for loss, which led the FBS, and four forced fumbles, tied for third in the FCS. The highly decorated pass rusher has been a standout in one-on-one drills throughout OTAs and training camp, using his combination of lower body twitch, instincts and power to consistently win against offensive linemen.
Walker will look to build on the performance throughout the remaining preseason games as he competes for additional playing time in the Buccaneers’ defensive rotation.