Jim Wyatt

jwyatt@tennessean.com

Titans tight end Delanie Walker has absorbed some big hits during his career, but the latest – which resulted in him getting knocked out – gave him reason to pause.

And make the ninth-year pro think even more about life after football.

"There's not a pill that can heal my brain or a machine that can make my brain heal faster,'' Walker said Wednesday. "You only have one of them; you can't replace that or have the doctor give you a new brain. So you have to make sure you take care of that situation. When you are done playing that's all we've got is our mind, so I want to be able to remember my kids and know who my family is when I am done playing the sport."

Walker sat out of Monday night's game against the Steelers after suffering a concussion against the Ravens on Nov. 9 when he was hit by Ravens safety Terrence Brooks while going across the middle.

Walker said he was knocked out for a few minutes. He remained on the field before eventually walking off. Then he was taken to the locker room on a cart.

The NFL did not fine or penalize Brooks.

Walker has seen the replay. He said Brooks made contact with his helmet. He still has a mark on his face to show for it.

"They said it was clean, so I guess it was clean,'' Walker said. "But you see another hit like that happen against the Broncos, a similar hit, and they throw the flag. I don't know what they at looking at.

"I was knocked out. He got me right in the temple. … I usually punish guys across the middle, but he punished me that time."

The Titans and Walker concluded it would be wise for him to sit out the game against the Steelers. Walker estimated he's suffered four concussions during his career, but said "this one's the most significant."

He practiced on Wednesday, however, and is planning to return to action on Sunday against the Eagles. He has no worries about going back across the middle.

"I want to make sure I have a mind after this game,'' Walker said. "(But) I am not scared at all. I feel like I can play so I am confident going back out there."

Walker is the team's second-leading receiver (38 catches) and the leader in receiving yards (512).







