Anthony Walker Jr.

Anthony Laron Walker Jr. (born August 8, 1995) is an American football linebacker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Northwestern and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft.

College career
Walker first saw action in his redshirt freshman season when Collin Ellis went down with a series of injuries. In his first career game, Walker returned an interception for a touchdown against Penn State that capped a Northwestern win. In his first full season as a starter, Walker found success as he recorded 122 tackles to lead the team and 20.5 tackles for loss which was fourth in the nation. For his performance that season, Walker received All-American recognition from the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated as well as Consensus First-team All-Big Ten Conference honors. On November 29, 2016, Walker was named Second-team All-Big Ten.

2017
The Indianapolis Colts selected Walker in the fifth round (161st overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. Walker was the 20th linebacker drafted in 2017.

On May 11, 2017, the Colts signed Walker to a four-year, $2.66 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $265,413.

Walker missed organized team activities due to Northwestern's quarters schedule and the league's rules on rookies being unable to join their team until their school's final semester had concluded. Upon entering training camp, Walker competed to be a starting inside linebacker against Sean Spence, Antonio Morrison, Jon Bostic, and Edwin Jackson. Head coach Chuck Pagano named Walker a backup inside linebacker to begin the regular season, behind Bostic and Morrison.

He made his professional regular season debut in the Colts' season-opener at the Los Angeles Rams, but exited in the second quarter of their 46–9 loss after sustaining a hamstring injury. His hamstring injury sidelined him for the next three games (Weeks 2–4). In Week 5, he aggravated his hamstring injury during the third quarter of a 26–23 win against the San Francisco 49ers and was inactive for the next three games (Weeks 6–8). On December 29, 2017, Walker earned his first start after Jon Bostic was ruled inactive due to an injury. He collected a season-high nine combined tackles in the Colts' 23–16 loss at the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16. On December 31, the Colts fired Pagano after they finished the season with a 4–12 record. He finished his rookie season in 2017 with 22 combined tackles (11 solo) in ten games and two starts.

2018
On February 11, 2018, the Colts hired former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich as their new head coach. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus opted to change the base 3-4 defense and implemented a base 4-3 defense. Walker entered training camp slated as the starting middle linebacker, but saw competition from Najee Goode. On July 31, it was reported that Walker had injured his groin in the first week of training camp and was sidelined for the remainder of training camp and all four preseason games. Head coach Frank Reich named Walker the starting middle linebacker to start the regular season in 2018, alongside outside linebackers Najee Goode and rookie Shaquille Leonard.

On September 23, Walker recorded nine combined tackles and made his first career interception off a pass by quarterback Carson Wentz during a 20–16 loss at the Eagles in Week 2.

2019
In Week 13 against the Tennessee Titans, Walker recorded a team-high 12 tackles and forced a fumble on running back Derrick Henry on the first play of the game which was recovered by teammate Malik Hooker in the 31–17 loss. In Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers, Walker recorded 10 tackles, sacked rookie quarterback Will Grier once, and intercepted a pass thrown by Grier during the 38–6 win. In Week 17 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Walker recorded a team high 16 tackles during the 38–20 loss.

2020
In Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns, Walker recorded his first interception off a pass thrown by Baker Mayfield during the 32–23 loss. In Week 13 against the Houston Texans, Walker recovered a fumble lost by Deshaun Watson late in the fourth quarter to secure a 26–20 win for the Colts.

2021
On March 19, 2021, Walker signed a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns. Walker was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury on September 17. He was activated on October 9 for Week 5.

2022
On March 16, 2022, Walker re-signed with the Browns on a one-year contract. He suffered a torn quad in Week 3 and was placed on injured reserve on September 23.

2023
On March 29, 2023, Walker re-signed with the Browns on another one-year contract. He was placed on injured reserve on January 5, 2024. He started 12 games in 2023, recording 44 tackles, four passes defensed, and a forced fumble.

Miami Dolphins
On March 15, 2024, Walker signed with the Miami Dolphins.

Personal life
Walker wore the number 4 for the Browns until Deshaun Watson was traded to the team in 2022. Watson gave Walker a new Rolex watch in exchange for the number, despite Walker not requesting anything. Following the swap, Walker wore number 5.