Terrelle Pryor still uncertain for Raiders game at Houston on Sunday

ALAMEDA -- Raiders' quarterback Terrelle Pryor was wearing a baseball-style cap and watching practice Wednesday during the media window as backup Matt McGloin took snaps with the first team.

When the team was going through stretching, Pryor was able to do leg lifts with his ailing right knee.

It remains to be seen whether Pryor will get in any work or be able to practice later in the week. Coach Dennis Allen will need to determine whether Pryor at less than 100 percent gives the Raiders a better chance to win than a healthy McGloin Sunday at Houston.

Pryor played the entire game in a 24-20 loss to the New York Giants but conceded afterward he was hampered by an MCL strain which hurt both his ability to run and to drive the ball with authority when passing.

There was good news on the Raiders offensive line in that both left tackle Jared Veldheer and right tackle Tony Pashos were padded up and on the field.

Veldheer, who had surgery in training camp for a torn right triceps, is on injured reserve but designated for return. His presence on the field starts a 21-day clock during which he can practice but not count toward the 53-man roster.

The Raiders can activate Veldheer at any time during that window. At the end of the 21 days, Veldheer must either be placed on the roster or on injured reserve, meaning he wouldn't play this season.

Given the length of time Veldheer has been out, it's an extreme longshot that he would be ready in time to face the Texans Sunday.

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Pashos was the starting right tackle before missing the last four games with a hip injury, giving way to Matt McCants for three games and Menelik Watson against the New York Giants.

The right tackle spot is crucial against Houston, given the presence of left end J.J. Watt, last year's Associated Press NFL defensive player of the year. Watt forced and recovered two fumbles in Houston's 27-24 loss to Arizona and has sacks in each of his last four games.

Running back Darren McFadden (hamstring) and cornerback D.J. Hayden (groin) were on a separate field and not in uniform working with the athletic training staff before going inside when practice began.