Bryce Petty a game-time decision for Baylor Bears vs. Northwestern State

Aug 31, 2014; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Bryce Petty (14) after the game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at McLane Stadium. The Bears shut out the Mustangs 45-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2014; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Bryce Petty (14) after the game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at McLane Stadium. The Bears shut out the Mustangs 45-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bryce Petty is a game-time decision for the Baylor Bears Week 2 game against Northwestern State, according to CBS Sports’ Jeremy Fowler, after injuring his back in the Baylor Bears Week 1 win over SMU on Sunday.

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Petty cracked two vertebrae in the transfer process in his back when he was hit on his first carry of the game but managed to stay in for the rest of the half as he played through the pain. He finished with 161 yards passing and two touchdowns and also added a five-yard touchdown run to finish with 21 yards on two carries.

The injury will not require surgery to correct and is more of a pain management injury for Petty who said he had trouble sitting and walking right earlier in the week.

Considering the level of competition the Bears face on Saturday, the risk involved in playing the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and seventh-place finisher in the 2013 Heisman voting would far outweigh the reward, so I would be stunned to see Petty suit up for this contest.

Art Briles needs Petty healthy for the Oct. 4 game against the Texas Longhorns in Austin, so don’t count on seeing the Heisman candidate behind center on Saturday, but expect to see Seth Russell who was 13-of-23 passing for 124 yards and a touchdown in the second half against SMU.

Russell is fully capable of leading Baylor to a win against Northwestern State and Buffalo next week should he be called upon to start for Petty once more before Big 12 play begins with a road trip to Iowa State on the final Saturday in September