The Tennessee Titans were holding out hope for the return of tight end Delanie Walker. Unfortunately, it appears they have finally come to a decision on his status for the rest of the 2019 NFL season.

According to NFL Network's Gregg Rosenthal, Walker will be placed on injured reserve with a lingering ankle issue:

Delanie Walker to IR. If that ends his time in Tennessee, he'll go down as one of the best free agent signings of the decade.

The loss of Walker undoubtedly deals a crushing blow to the offense just as they were starting to click on all cylinders. There is now going to be plenty of speculation regarding his looming future in Tennessee.

Walker has long served as an integral part of the Titans' offense since his arrival prior to the 2013 campaign. It did not take him long to establish himself as one of the best receiving tight ends in the NFL and was eventually named to three consecutive Pro Bowls thanks to his prowess as a pass-catcher. The veteran was only able to haul in 21 catches for 215 yards and two touchdowns in seven games this season.

The prospect of Walker being a decade-defining addition in free agency may seem a bit far-fetched given he is well past his prime and coming off of injury. Regardless, there should still be no shortage of interest from teams around the league if Tennessee does ultimately opt to part ways in the offseason. It will be interesting to see their approach if the recent resurgence under quarterback Ryan Tannehill continues.