Titans’ Delanie Walker about ‘85 percent’ as he recovers from ankle injury

Eight months later, Delanie Walker is lighter. He's moving well. He's cutting smoothly.

Progress.

“I feel like I’m in the 85 percent range,” the Titans tight end said Tuesday about how his ankle is feeling after the team’s second spring practice. “Today I felt fast getting out of my breaks, and I was catching the ball well. Always a good sign.”

It marked the first time Walker practiced on the field at Saint Thomas Sports Park since Week 1 of last season, when he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the opener at Miami in September.

"As a team we talked about (participating in spring practices) and this is the plan they’ve got for me," Walker said. "I’m happy with the plan.

“(I) felt good. I felt like I’m getting back to my old self. ... Missed a lot of football. Glad to be back out here and have the opportunity to run around with my teammates.”

Walker was a full participant during individual drills but watched most of team drills from the sideline in a ball cap. He said he jogged through about four snaps during team drills.

"Really not trying to do anything that’s too physical at the moment," Walker said.

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM:Our Memorial Day sale gives you unlimited access to the Tennessean for a low price

Walker, who reiterated he doesn’t have a timetable for return, is still officially listed at 248 pounds – his listed weight a year ago – but said he’s shed “a few pounds.”

“I felt like it would be a little better on my ankle and its recovery time,” Walker said. “We’ll see what happens when the season comes around, but I feel good with the weight I’m at at the moment.”

He'll be 35 by the time the Titans begin the 2019 season Sept. 8 at Cleveland. Still, he's only two years removed from a five-season stretch in which he had at least 60 catches each year. He averaged 831.2 receiving yards over that span.

"It’s definitely nice to have him back out," Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota said. "Obviously, just with that sort of injury, it’s a process. But he’s stuck to it. I think he’s done a great job of doing what he can. He’s helping our young guys out, being a coach. With that type of veteran leadership, that’s going to help every single guy out. From my take, I think it’s going to be a process, but he looks good."

Handful of no-shows

Jeffery Simmons, the Titans' first-round pick out of Mississippi State, was not around Tuesday as he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered in February. But there were a handful of other no-shows at Saint Thomas Sports Park for the voluntary practice.

Kicker Ryan Succop, right tackle Jack Conklin, tight end Jonnu Smith and cornerback Adoree' Jackson did not participate on Tuesday. 

Conklin and Smith both had their 2018 seasons end early because of knee injuries. Jackson had a procedure on his foot or ankle this offseason and has been in a boot, according to NFL Network. Titans coach Mike Vrabel didn't provide updates on the status of any of the absentees.

Reach Erik Bacharach at ebacharach@tennessean.com and on Twitter @ErikBacharach.