Report: Baylor QB Bryce Petty is day-to-day, has 'two cracks' in back

It was pretty clear that Bryce Petty’s back was bothering him early in Baylor’s game Sunday night against SMU. Petty aggravated it several times throughout the first half and had to be helped up by teammates after taking a hit when diving into the end zone.

Petty was held out of the second half with what was called a bruised lower back. It turns out, according to CBSSports.com’s Dennis Dodd, that the injury is a bit more serious than that.

Dodd is reporting that Petty, Baylor’s standout senior quarterback, actually suffered “two cracks in the transfer processes in his back.” His status is said to be “day-to-day.”

From Dodd:

The discovery was made after a Monday morning MRI showed that bones sticking out from the spine were cracked, according to a spokesman. Petty said he has pain but expects to play this week against Northwestern State. The injury is expected to heal on its own.

Despite Petty showing visible signs of discomfort, head coach Art Briles kept him in the game because “he needed the reps.” Petty, the Big 12 offensive player of the year in 2013, said after the game that he couldn’t “walk right.”

Petty said he expects to play Baylor’s next game against FCS Northwestern State, but playing that game doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. Petty is obviously very important for the success of Baylor’s season. Why put him at risk for further injury against a weak opponent (that lost to Missouri State in week one) that the Bears can beat without Petty?

Per Dodd, the injury “is expected to heal on its own,” so it would be wise for Briles to hold his quarterback out – even it’s just for precautionary reasons. Other Baylor players have had the same injury and were able to return relatively quickly. Petty should be able to do the same, but being cautious with this situation is probably the best course of action.

After the Northwestern State game, the Bears will then visit Buffalo on Sept. 12. A bye week follows the Buffalo game before the Bears' Big 12 schedule opens up against Iowa State on September 27. Petty has plenty of time to heal.

For more Baylor news, visit SicEmSports.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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