Bills Provide Injury Update on Spine Fracture of Rookie

There is a reason why Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker fell all the way to the fourth round of the 2025 draft for the Buffalo Bills. 

Walker had a back injury during his junior season with the Wildcats. He was later diagnosed with pondylolysis fracture - an injury that occurs in the lower spine and is common amongst athletes.

It's a big reason why the Bills have chosen to keep Walker out of most practice reps throughout rookie minicamp. And why the team is optimistic that they will be able to get the most out of the rookie in his very first season. 

"If we decide to limit him during the spring, that's just to make sure we are making him more ready, more durable, and letting that thing continue to heal," Bills general manager Brandon Beane said on draft weekend. "But we feel there's a good prognosis with him. We feel he'll be full go, ready to play when we get to training camp."

Walker joins a defensive line with top players like Ed Oliver and Greg Rousseau looking to force pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He isn't the only defensive player drafted either. 

Buffalo spent their first five picks in the draft on defensive players. That included edge rusher Landon Jackson, and fellow defensive tackle TJ Sanders. 

Walker isn't going to be an every down player in the league. 

He isn't being drafted to, though. Walker should help tremendously with Buffalo's run defense next year, as well as offer situational pass rushing skills to make him a top commodity. 

By that mark, he might end up being a steal.