NFL news roundup: Matt McGloin, Bjoern Werner, Christian Ponder to start for respective teams

The Oakland Raiders will go with Matt McGloin as their starting quarterback for Week 12. McGloin, an undrafted rookie, made his first start against the Houston Texans while Terrelle Pryor was dealing with a knee injury. McGloin played very well, throwing three touchdowns and limiting his mistakes. Pryor is still a little banged up, but it's likely the Raiders are giving McGloin more time regardless to see what he can offer. Pryor has ran the ball well, but has doubled his touchdown total in interceptions. The Raiders play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

The Indianapolis Colts will start rookie Bjoern Werner at outside linebacker on Sunday. Erik Walden is suspended for one game for headbutting Titans tight end Delanie Walker in Week 11. Walden appealed the suspension but the league upheld it -- rather quickly -- so Walden has to sit out. Werner was taken with the No. 24 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. He slipped due to being raw, and this will be his first start. It should be interesting, to say the least.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder was named the starter for the team's Week 12 game against the Green Bay Packers. Ponder was pulled from his team's loss Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks after a pair of interceptions, but Matt Cassel threw an interception of his own in relief. Josh Freeman isn't exactly a strong option either. It seems like Ponder might have a better handle on the offense at this point, so the Vikings will take the lesser of three evils.

The Oakland Raiders placed cornerback D.J. Hayden on injured reserve on Wednesday. Hayden sustained a groin injury against the Texans on Sunday and will be unable to play this season. The Raiders aren't exactly competing for a spot in the playoffs either way. It's a disappointing end for the rookie, who appeared in eight games this season and managed two defensed passes, one interception and one forced fumble. Hayden has had a significant injury history, so this is obviously a concern.

The Indianapolis Colts signed running back Chris Rainey on Wednesday. Rainey was a fifth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2012, but he was released after multiple off-the-field issues. Rainey rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries and caught 14 passes for 60 yards as a rookie. He also added 1,035 yards on kick returns. The Colts definitely need some help at the running back position, so this could wind up being a solid move if Rainey can stay out of trouble.