Ravens CB Tray Walker critically hurt in motorcycle accident

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Tray Walker was involved in a serious motorcycle accident in Liberty City, Florida, on Thursday night and is in critical condition at Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital, a team spokesman said.

Ravens senior vice president of public relations Kevin Byrne couldn't confirm the extent of Walker's injuries. The accident occurredabout 3 miles from Walker's former high school, Miami Northwestern.

"Oh, my God, this is devastating news," coach John Harbaugh said. "Our prayers and hopes are with Tray and his family tonight."

Walker, 23, was headingwestbound on Northwest 75th Street on a Honda dirt bike when he collided with a Ford Escape heading southbound on Northwest 21st Avenue, according to the Miami-Dade Police Department. The accident occurred at approximately 7:50 p.m., and police said Walker's bike did not have lights and that he was wearing dark clothing.

Police said the driver of the Ford Escape stayed on the scene and was cooperating with detectives. Walker was taken to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial in critical condition, according to police.

Walker was a fourth-round pick of the Ravens in 2015. He played only eight snaps on defense as a rookie, making one tackle.

Walker had dedicated his rookie season to his father, who died of a heart attack in 2014. The family spread his ashes off the waters in Miami on his father's birthday, which was one day after the Ravens drafted Walker.

Quiet yet good-natured, Walker endured a steep learning curve going from Texas Southern to the NFL. Baltimore made him the 16th cornerback taken in the 2015 draft, with Walker's height (6-foot-2) and length (his 33-plus-inch arms and 80 3/8 wingspan were the longest known of that draft class) ideal for that position. He was expected to battle for the No. 3 or No. 4 cornerback spot on the Ravens this season.

In mid-December, Harbaugh called Walker a "sponge" in terms of his learning.

Walker acknowledged at the end of the season that the lack of playing time -- he was inactive for half of the Ravens' games -- was frustrating.

"I'll just use that as an edge for me," he said. "I'll learn from this season and hope that I can come back strong next year and get on the field and make the plays they want me to make."

News of Walker's accident led some Ravens players to voice support for their teammate on social media Thursday night.