Jarrett Stidham Injury: Updates on Baylor QB's Back and Return
Jarrett Stidham bruised his back in Baylor's loss in Week 11 to Oklahoma; however, he's ready to return to the field.
Continue for updates.
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Stidham Will Play in Week 12
Thursday, Nov. 19
ESPN's David Smoak reported he received a text from Baylor head coach Art Briles about Stidham that said "he's playing" vs. Oklahoma State.
Stidham Recovering Slowly from Back Bruise
Thursday, Nov. 19
Reporters asked Briles how Stidham was recovering from the back injury he suffered in Week 11's loss to Oklahoma, and his prognosis wasn't overly optimistic.
"Honestly, not as far along as what I'd like for him to be," the coach said, via Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News. "We'll see in the next day or two."
Stidham's Presence Crucial to Baylor's Offense
An injury to Seth Russell forced Stidham into starting duty ahead of Baylor's matchup with Kansas State on Nov. 5. The transition from Bryce Petty to Russell this year proved to be seamless, as the junior threw for 2,104 yards, 29 touchdowns and six interceptions through seven games.
Although Stidham was viewed as the future at quarterback for the Bears, his first start wasn't supposed to come this early. Ideally, he'd have at least a year or two to become accustomed to the college game before taking over, similar to the way Russell became the starter.
There's no question Stidham is talented. He was the No. 2 dual-threat QB in the 2015 recruiting class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings.
But it's asking a lot of a true freshman to helm an offense in the heart of a team's conference schedule. Ohio State won a national championship last year after injuries to both Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett, but the Buckeyes' success isn't the norm.
Briles has the magic touch when it comes to quarterbacks, having gone from Robert Griffin III to Petty to Russell to Stidham without missing a beat.
Stidham's health moving forward is critical to the Bears as they look to avoid another quarterback transition.
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