Arkansas cornerback Kani Walker was stretchered off the field during Saturday night's Southeastern Conference game against No. 17 Ole Miss. This happened early in the fourth quarter.
Walker had movement in all his extremities, his team said, adding that he was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford.
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The game was delayed for almost 12 minutes. As he was taken off the field, Walker held his left hand out and gave a thumbs-up sign, lending some hope to fans.
Fans hope for quick recovery
As Walker was taken off field, several fans expressed worries on X, but also held out hope for a quick recovery.
{{/usCountry}}As Walker was taken off field, several fans expressed worries on X, but also held out hope for a quick recovery.
{{/usCountry}}One person noted “Bad, bad scene at the Ole Miss football game. CB Kani Walker is the injured Razorback.”
“Bigger than football, praying he's safe,” another person said on X. Yet another remarked, “Praying for Kani Walker.”
One person shared a photo of the team gathered around Walker as he was being taken off the field. “I hope the young man ends up being okay!,” the person commented. There were several ‘prayers up’ posts for Walker too.
How Walker got injured
Walker and Caleb Wooden were in coverage when Ole Miss wideout Deuce Alexander caught a 35-yard pass on the first play of the fourth quarter. Wooden's legs inadvertently hit Walker in the back of the head at the end of the play.
Walker was face down for several minutes before the Arkansas training staff and doctors turned him over on his back. They soon called for a stretcher and a cart followed a few minutes later. After Walker was on the stretcher, Wooden came over to check on him and the rest of the Razorbacks followed.
Walker had six tackles before exiting. He played one season at Louisville in 2021 and three at Oklahoma from 2022-24, before moving to Arkansas ahead of this season. In the first two games of this season, Walker recorded seven tackles, and three passes defended.
(With Reuters inputs)