Oakland Raiders: Terrelle Pryor Takes Reps With First Team in Practice
By Eric He
Sep 23, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) runs with the ball during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Although it was reported yesterday that Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor was “unlikely” to play against the Washington Redskins on Sunday, hope is still in the air that Pryor can be on the field.
Pryor participated in practice on Friday, and according to Scott Bair of CSN Bay Area, he was “more active than a day ago.” Pryor had his helmet on, and took reps with the first-team wide receivers.
UPDATE: Terrelle Pryor has been medically cleared to play against the Redskins, but the Raiders are choosing to make the quarterback undergo another test on Saturday before determining his availability for Sunday’s game.
Dennis Allen said if Pryor passes the non-NFL mandated test, he’ll play. Allen would not say if Pryor would start on Sunday, saying he would keep the choice quiet was for “competitive reasons.”
“He got a lot more in practice today, so we want to take another look at him and see where he’s at,” Allen said Friday. “The key is that both him and Matt Flynn have both prepared this week to start. I’m going to make the right decision based on (Pryor’s) health and make sure we do the right thing for him.”
“I want to make sure we’re making the right decision for this kid.”
Pryor said the following when asked about who’d be playing quarterback for the Raiders on Sunday: “Whatever (Allen) picks is going to be in the best interest of the team … whatever he makes, I’m not going to be mad.”
Pryor suffered a concussion on a was a helmet-to-helmet hit put on him by Broncos’ linebacker Wesley Woodyard on a second-and-goal play. Woodyard was able to rush straight at Pryor on a designed quarterback run, and levied a huge hit that stunned the Raiders’ quarterback. Pryor laid facedown on the ground for a bit before getting back up and pacing around the field during a stoppage in play.
He stayed in the game and finished the drive, but left for the locker room.
If Pryor is unable to play, the Raiders will turn to Matt Flynn, who lost the starting job to Pryor in the offseason. Flynn was acquired to be the Raiders’ No. 1 quarterback, but was outplayed by the youngster Pryor during the preseason.