Baylor will be without another one of their wide receivers after Levi Norwood underwent wrist surgery. Norwood is expected to miss at least the next three games while he recovers. Baylor will also probably be without quarterback Bryce Petty after he suffered two cracked bones in his spine against SMU.
Norwood caught 4 passes for 26 yards against SMU. He also had 2 punt returns for 49 yards in Baylor's dominating 45-0 victory.
Baylor was already without Antwan Goodley, Corey Coleman, and Clay Fuller for their matchup against Northwestern State. Goodley will be out with a quad injury while Coleman has a hamstring issue. Fuller broke his clavicle in August is expected to be back against Iowa State on September 27 at the earliest.
Running back Devin Chafin will also miss the game on Saturday with an ankle sprain. Chafin recorded 5 carries for 7 yards versus SMU.
As for Bryce Petty, head coach Art Briles does not see him playing on Saturday. “We’ll see how it comes around in the next day or two, but it’s going to have to be pretty dramatic,” head coach Art Briles said Wednesday when asked about Petty’s availability in Week 2.
Petty expected that he would be playing against Northwestern State, but his injury has clearly not progressed to the point that it will allow him to see the field. Petty played the entire first half against SMU despite the injury he suffered.
Without Petty, backup Seth Russell will get the start. Russell played in the second half versus SMU going 13 of 23 for 124 yards with 1 touchdown and an interception. Russell also ran for 46 yards on 7 carries. Chris Johnson also saw a little bit of playing time going 1 of 1 for 28 yards. Johnson also recorded 1 rush for 17 yards.
The good news is that Baylor is facing Northwestern State, a team they should have no trouble defeating. Baylor will then travel to play the Buffalo Bulls on Friday, September 12 before a bye week. The Bears open their Big 12 slate against Iowa State on the road on Saturday, September 27.