PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State football player Cory Mackay is not likely to return to a football field soon after a car accident.

Coach Paul Wulff said Mackay is recovering from his spinal cord injuries and hopes to walk soon, but probably won’t be able to play football in the near future.

Mackay rolled his truck near Washtucna last Thursday while driving home to Redmond after final exams. Mackay, who was wearing his seatbelt, suffered a spinal injury that necessitated three hours of surgery Friday at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center to fuse fractured vertebrae.

The 6-foot-4, 257-pound freshman redshirted in the fall but competed for a starting spot with a strong spring.