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Christian Ponder expected to be cut by Raiders, source says

NFL, Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders are expected to release quarterback Christian Ponder ahead of Saturday's 4 p.m. deadline to trim rosters to 53 players, a league source told ESPN's Adam Caplan.

Ponder was battling Matt McGloin for the No. 2 job behind starter Derek Carr.

The Raiders, with logjams at positions such as defensive line, linebacker and receiver, had internal discussions this week about keeping just two QBs on the final roster.

Ponder had been the No. 2 quarterback all training camp and in the preseason. But McGloin has been better in games, playing much longer and better than Ponder on Thursday night.

McGloin completed 16 of 24 passes for 186 yards and two touchdown passes. Ponder, who played early and late Thursday night, completed 7 of 11 passes for 99 yards.

The Raiders signed Ponder in free agency in March because he knows new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave's system. Ponder, a 2011 first-round pick of the Vikings, played for Musgrave with Minnesota. He was given a $1.5 million signing bonus by Oakland.

Information from ESPN.com Raiders reporter Bill Williamson was used in this report.

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