The Oakland Raiders might knock the dust off quarterback Terrelle Pryor and allow him to suit up as the third quarterback against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Pryor has been inactive for all 11 games this season. Carson Palmer remains the Raiders’ unquestioned starting quarterback, with Matt Leinart as the backup.
Activating Pryor would allow the Raiders some creativity in terms of offensive sets, as he could operate as a runner-passer in a spread offense or fill another role that could take advantage of his unique offensive gifts.
“I think somewhere down the line we need to see what he can do,” coach Dennis Allen said. “Now when that time is, I don’t know the exact answer for that yet. But there will be a time where we’ve got to get a look at him.”
Pryor, a former Ohio State standout, got extensive playing time in the preseason. In a 31-20 win over the Detroit Lions on Aug. 25, he rushed five times for 90 yards and completed three of five passes for 137 yards. He had a 17-yard run for a touchdown, another scramble around right end for 59 yards and touchdown passes of 39 and 76 yards to Juron Criner.
The last time Pryor suited up was in the preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks, when he completed six of nine passes for 55 yards.
“I feel like I haven’t played in a year,” Pryor said.
Pryor is confident in his knowledge of the playbook, even though he spends most of his time running the opposing team’s sets in practice. He also said there is a difference between knowing something and executing it under fire.
“If we were to talk and you were to give me a formation for this upcoming week, I’d know every single play,” Pryor said. “I’d know where everyone’s at, I’d know all the responsibilities. That’s on paper, that’s not on the field with four guys 300 pounds are flying at you, so I don’t know.”