| Number: | 71, 72, 70 |
| Position: | Center |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 4 |
| Weight Lbs: | 303 |
| Birth Date: | 17 March 1978 |
| Birth Place: | Bainbridge, Ohio, U.S. |
| High School: | Kenston (OH) |
| College: | Ohio State |
| Draftyear: | 2002 |
| Draftround: | 6 |
| Draftpick: | 179 |
| Teams: | |
| Highlights: |
|
| Statlabel1: | Games played |
| Statvalue1: | 47 |
| Statlabel2: | Games started |
| Statvalue2: | 9 |
| Pfr: | WaltTy20 |
Tyson Barrett Walter (born March 17, 1978) is a former American football center who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and Green Bay Packers. He played college football at Ohio State University. He was also a member of the Houston Texans but did not play in any games.
Walter attended Kenston High School, where he was a two-way player at offensive and defensive tackle. As a senior, he helped his team finish second in the state playoffs, while earning All-Ohio honors.
He accepted a football scholarship from Ohio State University. As a true freshman, he appeared in the first two games as a backup offensive tackle, before being lost with a shoulder sprain and being granted a medical redshirt.
Walter was named the starter at left tackle as a redshirt freshman, replacing the graduated All-American Orlando Pace.[1]
In 1999, he was able to start in all games, despite missing most of the summer after undergoing back surgery. He missed the 2000 season due to a hip infection.[2]
After being granted an additional year of eligibility, he returned as a sixth-year senior to achieve a school record 49 starts (all at left tackle) and earn All-Big Ten honors.
Walter was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round (179th overall) of the 2002 NFL draft.[3] He was one of three Ohio State players selected by the Cowboys that year.[4]
As a rookie, he made the team even though he was sidelined for most of training camp with a high left ankle sprain. He was declared inactive during the first 4 contests and started 8 games at center after Andre Gurode was moved to right guard.
The next year, Al Johnson was drafted to replace him in the starting lineup and improve the center position. Even though Johnson was lost for the season with a knee injury, Matt Lehr was named the starter over Walter.
In 2004, he regained the starter position, but suffered a sprained left knee in the second quarter of the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, opening the door for Johnson to start the rest of the season at center.
Walter remained a versatile backup and was used in four different positions along the offensive line. On September 3, 2005, he was waived to keep second-year player Ben Noll on the roster.
On November 18, 2005, he signed with the Houston Texans. Although he was a part of the regular roster, he was declared inactive for the last 7 games of the season. He wasn't re-signed after the season.
On March 23, 2006, the Washington Redskins signed him as a free agent to be the backup center.[5] He was released on October 24.
On November 25, 2006, he signed as a free agent with the Green Bay Packers.[6] On September 1, 2007, he was placed on the injured reserve list and wasn't re-signed after the season.