The Rams announced that they have re-signed defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker, whom they released July 22 at the time a rape accusation in Louisiana surfaced, and waived fellow DT A.J. Jefferson in a corresponding move. A grand jury cleared Walker of wrongdoing on Aug. 3, freeing him up for a return to the NFL.
The 27-year-old Walker, who first signed with the Rams back in March, spent the first three seasons of his career in New Orleans and the previous two in Detroit. Walker has totaled 42 appearances, and the majority of his 13 career starts (eight) came last season. Walker tallied 26 tackles and played 34.1 percent of the Lions’ defensive snaps in 2016, and ranked a below-average 77th among Pro Football Focus’ 127 qualified interior D-linemen.
In his return to Los Angeles, Walker figures to once again provide depth in the middle of a D-line whose best player, all-world tackle Aaron Donald, could miss regular-season time on account of a holdout. Without Donald in the fold, the Rams are currently set to start sixth-round rookie Tanzel Smart alongside established tackle Michael Brockers. Other than Walker, the Rams’ primary depth options include Mike Purcell and Louis Trinca-Pasat.