Tulane player stable after surgery on spine

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- A Tulane University football player is in stable condition after a three-hour surgery to stabilize his fractured spine.

Now his loved ones and teammates face an agonizing wait to learn how serious the injury is and whether it will leave him paralyzed.

Senior safety Devon Walker was injured Saturday in the first half of Tulane's visit to Tulsa. He and a teammate tackled an opposing receiver and it appeared their helmets cracked together.

Team Dr. Greg Stewart says it often takes days for doctors to determine the lasting effects of these kinds of injuries.

The doctor says Walker was talking with doctors while he was being treated Saturday.