If the Tennessee Titans want to have a successful season next year, they need to make sure that Delanie Walker is off of injured reserve.

And that, according to ESPN, is something that even the tight end is hoping to happen.

Quarterback Marcus Mariota said that Walker — who is currently out with a knee injury but hopes to be cleared for the offseason workouts — has been instrumental to the team's success.

“Delanie was such a vital part of the offense, and he caused matchup problems. Teams tried to figure out how to match up against him or maybe even put two guys on him.”

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Walker, however, knows that he will be older than most players when the offseason starts (assuming he's cleared to practice, he'll be 35 when he takes the field again). And, like it or not, everything has an expiration date, including a tight end's run on the field.

Walker, however, says he's not worried about his age as much as he is about being able to play again, and play well.

“They can judge me all they want. I already know people are going to say it’s going to be a struggle to come back off an injury like this. They doubted me before and look how far I got. I am just going to prove everybody wrong.”

We will keep you apprised of all of the possibilities for Walker, including if — and when — he returns to the field during the offseason, or during the actual season. Will he prove the haters wrong?