Source: Baylor QB Petty has two cracks in back, listed day to day

Published Sep. 1, 2014 5:15 p.m. ET

Bruce Feldman

UPDATE: Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty says he plans to play for the 10th-ranked Bears in Saturday's night game against Northwestern State despite two cracked small bones in his back.

Petty said he felt "great" Tuesday, a day after an MRI revealed the issue.

Bears coach Art Briles said Petty won't play if he's not 100 percent. When asked about that, Petty smiled and said he'd be 100 percent.

***

Baylor quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate Bryce Petty suffered two cracked transverse processes in his back after taking a hit early in Sunday's game against SMU, a source told FOX Sports.

The diagnosis was two cracked transverse processes, small bones that stick out from each side of a vertebra. The source says it is something that heals on its own. Petty is day to day and can play when the pain is tolerable.

The 6-foot-3, 235-pound senior and 2013 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year is regarded as perhaps the toughest guy on the Baylor team. Baylor, which didn't practice Monday, is home Saturday night against Northwestern State.

Petty was hit in the back on his first series Sunday night. He still threw for 161 yards and two touchdowns, and added a 5-yard TD run for a 31-0 halftime lead.

The quarterback was clearly in discomfort, often clutching at his lower back. He grimaced and was slow getting up after taking a shot going into the end zone on his scoring run, but played two more series after that.

While he was 13-of-23 passing, Petty uncharacteristically missed open receivers on several throws he usually completes. Petty threw for 4,200 yards with 32 touchdowns and three interceptions last season, when he completed 62 percent of his passes.

''I was battling through some stuff that whole first half. I couldn't really plant and throw as well as I wanted to,'' Petty said after the game. ''Every time I planted, I could feel it.''

Petty insisted he was already feeling a lot better after the game and could have played more if needed.

''It's nothing that serious,'' he said. ''Everything's good.''

The Associated Press contributed to this report.