Raiders Activate Dont'e Thornton, Jr. to Active Roster

The Las Vegas Raiders move Dont'e Thornton, Jr. from injured reserve while releasing defensive tackle Jonah Laulu.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Football

Raiders Activate Dont'e Thornton, Jr. to Active Roster

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The Las Vegas Raiders have activated wide receiver Dont'e Thornton, Jr. to the 53-man roster. In a corresponding move, the franchise released defensive tackle Jonah Laulu from the team.

Why it matters

Management is prioritizing the development of younger players as the franchise continues its current rebuild. The coaching staff has opted to favor the physical potential of Thornton, Jr. over the established production of Laulu.

Dont'e Thornton, Jr. measures 6'5" and 205 pounds, recording 10 receptions across 15 games in 2025. This move follows Jonah Laulu's tenure, which included 22 total starts for the team across the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

The players

John Spytek

John Spytek serves as the General Manager for the Las Vegas Raiders and is responsible for all roster management decisions. He previously interned with the Detroit Lions in 2004.

Dont'e Thornton, Jr.

Dont'e Thornton, Jr. is a wide receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders who was selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He was the 108th overall pick in that selection class.

Jonah Laulu

Jonah Laulu is a defensive tackle who was released from the Las Vegas Raiders roster. He started 22 games for the team during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

The details

General Manager John Spytek executed the roster change to integrate the younger Thornton, Jr. into the active lineup. The decision aims to shift team resources toward players drafted to build the future of the Raiders organization.

Dont'e Thornton, Jr. was activated to the active roster on October 27, 2026.
Dont'e Thornton, Jr. was drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jonah Laulu started seven games during his rookie year in 2024.

Season Trajectory

This roster move underscores the Raiders' focus on developing high-potential youth during the 2026 season. It signals a shift in the competitive balance of the roster as the team looks to move beyond its 3-4 record.

The addition of Dont'e Thornton, Jr. to the active roster impacts the team's receiving rotation for upcoming matchups. Fantasy football managers should monitor his integration into the offense to determine his potential impact on passing production.

The takeaway

Roster management often requires prioritizing long-term development over immediate veteran stability during a franchise rebuild. Readers should track how these developmental projects contribute to the team's performance throughout the remainder of the season.