Terrelle Pryor makes his first NFL start in the Raiders' season finale Sunday at San Diego. (US Presswire)

Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor hasn't started a game since Jan. 4, 2011, when he led Ohio State to a 31-26 victory over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl and was named the game's MVP.

Pryor's long wait for his next start will end Sunday at San Diego when he'll make the first start of his NFL career.

Raiders coach Dennis Allen on Friday named Pryor his starting quarterback for Oakland's season-finale against the Chargers, choosing him over veteran Matt Leinart.

Pryor replaces the injured Carson Palmer, who suffered cracked ribs and a bruised lung last week at Carolina and has been ruled out for the game.

"He'll start the game, he'll play in the game, and we'll see how the game goes," Allen said of Pryor. "Early in the week we told both those guys that we were leaning in that direction, but we wanted to see how each player responded during practice this week.

"I thought Terrelle responded well. I think he gives us a unique element of athleticism at the quarterback position, and I think he deserves to get an opportunity to get out there and see what he can do."

Pryor appeared in just one game last season as a rookie -- he was on the field for one play that ended when he was penalized for a false start. This season, he has appeared in two games and a total of six plays. He has completed 1 of 2 passes for five yards, caught a 22-yard pass from Palmer on a trick play and rushed for two yards.

"I feel that I’m ready," Pryor said. "Had a decent week of reps. I think I showcased during practice with good help from the coaching staff, and especially Carson and Matt when I was in there, and even the receivers. I felt comfortable. I felt like a leader in the huddle when I was in there. I feel good about it and look forward to the opportunity.

"Am I nervous? I’m nervous. Until the first play I’m going to be nervous. ... I’m human like everybody. I just happen to play one of the best sports in the world. I’ll be nervous until the first snap."

The Raiders chose Pryor in the third round of the NFL Supplemental Draft in 2011. He's the last player drafted by the late Al Davis. The NFL suspended him for the first five games for what commissioner Roger Goodell called a "deliberate manipulation of our eligibility rules."

Pryor left Ohio State following his junior season after being at the center of an NCAA investigation involving improper dealing with a tattoo shop owner in Columbus.

During his career at Ohio State, Pryor threw 57 touchdown passes and rushed for 17 scores. He completed 477 of 783 passes (60.9 percent) for 6,177 yards and rushed for 2,164 yards on 436 carries.

"I just think he's going to go out there and do his job," Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey said. "Simple as that. Of course he brings the running ability, but he's trying to be a leader out there, have command of the huddle and doing the job that a starting quarterback should do. ... I'm excited for him to make plays. It should be fun."


Leinart said he wasn't surprised by Allen's decision.

"It's a decision I can't control," Leinart said. "I'm going to go out there this week and I'm going to help him. Anything he needs. The competitor in me wants to play, wants to start, but I do understand that they need to evaluate him, and I get that. Obviously you're not happy by any means, but at the same time I'm a team player."

Young quarterbacks often have trouble simply calling the plays correctly and getting the team in and out of the huddle quickly enough, but Pryor said that's not a concern.

"I can guarantee this. I won’t have a problem with that, of being in and out fast," Pryor said. "I’m very confident. I study an awful lot, that’s my job. Took me a little while to realize that in camp time because my mind was floating. I was learning a new thing. I was just like a rookie in the NFL because I barely learned it last year because of all the stuff going on with the supplemental (draft) and coming in late. It was a whirlwind. It was hard for me. But I've been studying."

Allen said he's "anxious" to see Pryor play against the Chargers.

"I want to see him go out there and relax, play the game of football the way it's supposed to be played," Allen said. "I want to see him take command of the huddle. I want to see us be able to get in and out of the huddle and the operation be smooth in running the offense. And I want to see him protect the football, make sure he makes good decisions, protects the football, and hopefully he'll be able to do something with his skill set to give us a chance to move the ball down the field and score points."

Allen was asked if he made his decision because he believes Pryor gives the Raiders the best chance to win Sunday or because he's looking toward the future?

"I think there's a little bit of both involved in that," Allen said. "We've been around Terrelle for a whole season, and we know what his strengths are, we know what his weaknesses are. But really, to give him an opportunity to go out in a game, against a division opponent, at their place, give him a chance to play, it gives us a view into the future."

Pryor said he's focused on the present.

"I’m just looking at it as an opportunity to play well," Pryor said. "No turnovers, go through my progressions and try to be the best leader I can. That’s it. That’s all I’m really worried about. I’m looking at obviously impressing them. I’m looking to be the leader of this team. That’s what I look forward to. I can’t think about what other people think of me. I’m just trying to be the leader and make some plays."

Follow Eric Gilmore on Twitter @CBSRaiders.