Sports · Football · 1 hr ago
Raiders Activate Dont’e Thornton and Waive Jonah Laulu
The Las Vegas Raiders activated wide receiver Dont’e Thornton from injured reserve on Tuesday.
Thornton, 23, missed the start of the season after a hamstring injury during training camp, and his return window was due to close the next day.
The 2025 fourth-round pick played 15 games as a rookie, catching 10 of 30 targets for 135 yards and no touchdowns.
To open a roster spot, the Raiders waived defensive tackle Jonah Laulu, who started 15 games last season and recorded four sacks.
Laulu played in the team’s first five games this year but was a healthy scratch last week as younger defensive tackles entered the lineup.
Thornton could make his 2026 debut against the Jets on Sunday, while Laulu is expected to draw waiver interest from other teams.
The Raiders activated wide receiver Dont’e Thornton from injured reserve and waived defensive tackle Jonah Laulu to make room on the roster.
Thornton’s 21-day practice window was set to close the next day.
He had been sidelined by a hamstring injury suffered during training camp.
Laulu had appeared in the Raiders’ first five games this season and was a healthy scratch the previous week.
Thornton could make his 2026 debut against the Jets on Sunday.
- Who
- The Las Vegas Raiders activated wide receiver Dont’e Thornton and waived defensive tackle Jonah Laulu.
- What
- Thornton returned to the active roster from injured reserve, while Laulu was waived.
- When
- Tuesday; the article was published on October 28, 2026.
- Where
- Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Why
- The Raiders needed a roster spot to activate Thornton.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Thornton suffered a hamstring injury.
The Raiders placed Thornton on injured reserve.
Thornton began practicing after becoming eligible.
The Raiders activated Thornton from injured reserve and waived Laulu.
Thornton could make his 2026 debut against the Jets.
- Thornton
- 23-year-old second-year wide receiver
- Return window
- 21 days
- Laulu
- Defensive tackle and 2024 seventh-round pick
- Laulu’s 2025 season
- Started 15 games, with four sacks and eight tackles for loss
- Thornton’s rookie season
- Played in 15 games and caught 10 passes for 135 yards
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Source: The #Raiders are releasing DT Jonah Laulu. The former Oklahoma star was a healthy scratch on Sunday, but was very productive last season — recording 8 TFLs and 4.5 sacks. His 86 tackles were the most-ever by a Raiders’ DL over the first 2 years.