Jason Campbell Injury: 5 Predictions for Terrelle Pryor the Rest of the Season

The fact that the Oakland Raiders are now 4-2 is certainly no secret, but there's definitely a hidden hero in this story. While Darren McFadden continues to headline, Jason Campbell has made the biggest difference in this offense with his heady play, protection of the football and ability to stretch the field.

However, Campbell's now likely done for the season after breaking his collarbone in the Week 6 win over the Cleveland Browns, and predicting the Raiders' offensive effectiveness from here on out is as hard as it would have been to peg them at 4-2 through just over a third of the season. 

Of course, only one thing's for certain now: rookie QB Terrelle Pryor will play, at least in some capacity.

5. Kyle Boller Will Start in Week 7

The initial reaction to Campbell's injury will, for at least a few fans, be a clamoring for the rookie "passer" out of Ohio State. However, Boller's the veteran here. It just makes no sense to throw Pryor out there immediately when you're sitting at 4-2 and have upcoming games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos sandwiched around a bye.

It doesn't hurt that Boller was quietly efficient throwing the ball in his time against the Browns. He completed 8 of 14 passes for 100 yards and managed not to turn it over despite a solid two-fumble effort. Of course, those types of mistakes will lead to a short leash for Boller, but with Darren McFadden in the backfield, he won't be asked to do too much against two teams well below Oakland in the AFC West pecking order.

4. Terrelle Pryor Will Play in Week 7

Hey, no one said anything about bold predictions. Pryor's NFL- (and NCAA-) mandated five-game suspension ended October 10, and he's expected to be activated from the roster list Monday, which means he'll finally be suited up for his first taste of NFL action. 

He won't have to wait long. It won't be a large cameo (think Tim Tebow through the first four weeks of the 2011 season), but he'll be asked to play a Brad-Smith-like role as a receiver/wildcat quarterback sans the kick return duties. 

3. Announcers Will Talk Non-Stop About a Tim Tebow vs. Terrelle Pryor Game

Seriously, at this point, is there anything in the world that sportscasters can't connect to Tim Tebow? Forget Kevin Bacon's six degrees; Tebow only needs one. And with a guy whose been painted as basically the Bizarro-Tebow coming to Denver on November 6, media members everywhere will be helpless to resist the talk of two of college football's biggest names meeting in the NFL.

It won't matter how limited Pryor's role is in Week 7. With the Raiders getting a bye before facing the Broncos, the room for speculation will be cavernous. Of course, Pryor still won't be starting by the time he faces Denver, but his duties will have grown by the time he plays in his second game. 

2. Terrelle Pryor Will Start at Quarterback in Week 13

Kyle Boller's veteran status will earn him the benefit of the doubt for a few weeks, and those games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos should only aid his cause as the interim starter.

However, the schedule turns quickly after that. The date in Denver is followed immediately by trips to San Diego and Minnesota, two teams that know how to play defense at home. After that, the Raiders head home to face a rejuvenated Chicago Bears defensive unit. That gauntlet should be enough to have Hue Jackson ready for a change.

With Oakland facing the Miami Dolphins in Week 13, the opportunity is there to take a chance under center and still come out with a win.

1. Terrelle Pryor Will Enter 2012 as a Quarterback

After rampant speculation that Pryor's best NFL fit would come at wide receiver, Campbell's injury has provided the rookie with a rare opportunity to prove everyone wrong in his first season. He won't be Cam Newton (or anything close), but he'll surprise with ability to move an NFL offense with his feet and his arm.

He gets Darren McFadden behind him and a bevy of speedy receivers who can improvise when Pryor forces the pocket to break by prematurely running out of it. It won't always be pretty, and he'll make his fair share of mistakes, but his versatility and immaturity are still preferable to Kyle Boller's track record of poor passes, and someone is going to have to backup Campbell in 2012.