Anthony Walker Jr May 25, 2022; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) and quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) walk off the field during organized team activities at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns defeated their ancient AFC North rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, on Amazon’s Thursday Night Football. The win, however, wasn’t without its costs for the Browns.

Browns linebacker Anthony Walker suffered a leg injury with 10:34 left in the third quarter. After a successful screen play, Steelers tackle Chukwuma Okorafor de-cleated Walker with a block. Then, as Walker lay on the ground, Okorafor jumped on top of him.

Referees did not flag Okorafor the late hit. Instead, they penalized him for being an ineligible receiver downfield.

Browns’ medical staff came onto the field after the play, put an air cast over Walker’s injured leg and carted him off the field as fans cheered him on.

ESPN reporter Adam Schefter reported Friday that Walker tore a quad muscle and would require season-ending surgery.

“An MRI today on Browns’ LB Anthony Walker revealed that he tore his quad tendon, and he will now require season-ending surgery, per source,” Schefter wrote. “It is considered to be a 5-to-7 month injury.”
Walker is a five-year veteran of the NFL. Initially drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Walker signed his second one-year contract with the Browns earlier this year.