Doctor: Too soon to know if Tulane player paralyzed

Tulane’s Devon Walker (bottom r.) and Julius Warmsley (92) tackle Tulsa’s Kenny Welcome (bottom l.), during first half play Saturday. On this play, Walker was seriously hurt.

Tulane University football player Devon Walker underwent surgery Sunday to stabilize his fractured spine, but the team’s doctor said it’s too soon to know whether he’ll be paralyzed from the injury he suffered while making a tackle Saturday. Walker was injured when he and teammate Julius Warmsley tackled Tulsa player Willie Carter and apparently smashed their helmets together. It was reported during a postgame news conference that Walker never completely lost consciousness and was breathing on his own.