Report: Lions release former starting safety Tracy Walker

The Detroit Lions released Tracy Walker, ESPN reported Tuesday, after the veteran safety posted a goodbye message to the team's fans on social media.

Walker has spent his entire six-year NFL career with Detroit. He was set to carry a $12.82 million cap hit in 2024, the final year of his contract.

"Detroit I want to thank you for welcoming me in as rookie and accepting me as family," Walker wrote on Instagram. "I want to thank the Ford family for giving me the opportunity to be apart of something special over these last 6 years. I want to thank my fans and supporters for always having my back through it all. I want to thank the city for holding down for me. It was many ups and downs but that's life and life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond."

A third-round draft pick in 2018, Walker became the Lions' starting free safety by his second season. His 2022 season was cut short after tearing an Achilles in Week 3, but he came back to play in all 17 games of the 2023 regular season, starting six.

Walker, 29, tallied 59 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and two pass breakups in 2023. In 79 career games (43 starts), he has recorded 398 tackles, three interceptions, four sacks, two forced fumbles and 23 pass breakups.