The Facts: When players report on Thursday – the team’s first practice is on Friday – Walker will be ready to go. “I am excited to be back – I missed the whole year, and I missed a lot of football," Walker said. "I have been back (rehabbing and working), so I am excited to see all the other guys so we can hit the ground running."

Diehards Line: Walker added: “I had a lot of doubters, but if I tell you one thing, I am telling you the truth: I knew I was (going to be ready) when the time came, and everyone else couldn’t believe it.” The good news is Walker, who suffered a season-ending injury in the team’s season opener last season, feels good. After being limited this offseason with the ankle injury, Walker was not put on the team’s Physically Unable to Perform list earlier this week. He expects to practice when camp begins. Walker worked in OTAs, but he was held out of the minicamp in June. “The type of injury I had, I still have to be smart," he explained. "But I feel great. I am out there running, and I did the conditioning test – no problems there. I feel good. You are still going to have some swelling and some soreness but that is part of it.” And that part of it might limit him some in August. But it sounds like Walker will be ready come September.