Matt McGloin to start for Oakland Raiders?
Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin (14) throws a pass at training camp at Napa Valley Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oakland Raiders starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor has clearly been hobbled over the past few weeks with an MCL sprain, and we know from pryor (not a typo, just a really bad pun) experience this season that Raiders head coach Dennis Allen likes taking the cautious route when it comes to Pryor. Earlier this season, Allen added another concussion test on top of the tests mandated by the NFL solely in order to ensure that Pryor was truly at 100%. While Pryor passed the test, he complained about new symptoms later on that day, so the Raiders ruled him out and started Matt Flynn.
After watching Pryor slog through some games, the Raiders are more weary about the health of his knee going forward. They aren’t going to compete for anything in the suddenly stacked AFC West this season (and to think most people- me included, of course- thought it would be a laughingstock before the season started), so they really shouldn’t risk their potential QB of the future.
According to the Oakland Tribune’s Jerry McDonald, Terrelle Pryor was “working at something less than half speed” during practice today, which is definitely not a good indication of his status for this week’s game against the Houston Texans. Pryor already has a semi-serious injury (MCL sprain), and the fact that he is getting worse and not better seems to indicate that the Raiders starter has suffered a setback on his knee. At this point in time, it’s wise to rest him up this week.
McDonald also tweeted that it “looks like” the Oakland Raiders will start Penn State UDFA Matt McGloin at quarterback on Sunday, and McDonald cites the “practice speed” and “body language” of both McGloin and Pryor as reasons for this statement. Honestly, it makes a lot of sense in light of Pryor’s knee injury, and it would give the Raiders a valuable chance to evaluate McGloin further. He impressed plenty in the offseason, but it’s time to see what he can do in a real game. This gives the Raiders that opportunity while also resting up Pryor, who shouldn’t be pushed into another game if he isn’t healthy. He could still play this week, but my guess is that he won’t; the Raiders will take the prudent route and also fulfill a potential ulterior motive in further evaluating McGloin, who generated plenty of buzz in the offseason.
You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter for more NFL updates and analysis @SorianoJoe. Be sure to like us on Facebook here and follow our site on Twitter as well.