Despite sustaining what appeared to be a season-ending fractured jaw on December 24, SAn Francisco 49ers TE Delanie Walker remains on the 49ers 53 man active roster. Walker, aka ‘D-Lay’, returned to the 49ers practice center on Thursday, now able to talk and eat solid food. The 49ers are hoping Walker can recover quick enough to contribute on the field in the playoffs. Walker plays a crucial role in the 49ers offense, many times behind the ‘scenes’. For example, in the 49ers win against the Detroit Lions, RB Frank Gore had two 40+ yard carries through holes created by a “WHAM” block on Lions DT Ndamkong Su by D-Lay. In the same game, Walker caught the game winning touchdown pass.
January 14 is the 49ers’ first playoff game, likely too early for Walker to be ready. But he may recover in time for the Super Bowl.