Raiders Release Cody White, Activate Carter Runyon

The Las Vegas Raiders cut wide receiver Cody White from the active roster and promoted tight end Carter Runyon and wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Football

Raiders Release Cody White, Activate Carter Runyon

The Las Vegas Raiders released wide receiver Cody White from the active roster and activated tight end Carter Runyon and wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. The moves followed a Week 8 game in which the Raiders scored 38 points against the New York Jets.

Why it matters

White had limited production in recent weeks, with no more than one catch in each of the last three games, which made him expendable. Thornton's activation adds a 6-foot-5 receiver with a 4.30-second 40-yard dash to a group that saw only two wide receivers record targets in Week 8.

Cody White posted three touchdowns through the first three games of the season and ranks third in franchise receiving yards by a Raiders wide receiver. Jalen Nailor finished one receiving yard ahead of White, and the team's roster decision leaves the depth chart's final order unsettled.

The players

Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders are a professional American football franchise based in Las Vegas that compete in the National Football League.

Klint Kubiak

Klint Kubiak is the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, overseeing the team's on-field strategy and personnel decisions.

Cody White

Cody White is a wide receiver who was released by the Las Vegas Raiders after three touchdowns through the first three games of the season.

Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Dont'e Thornton Jr. is a wide receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders who was activated to the active roster after starting the season on Injured Reserve.

The details

Head coach Klint Kubiak said Thornton will not play until he earns a depth chart spot from another player, after he started the season on Injured Reserve and was inactive against the Jets. The Raiders released White to clear a roster spot for Runyon.

Week 8: Raiders score 38 points against the New York Jets; only two wide receivers record targets.
Week 9: Thornton is expected to be active for the game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Season Trajectory

Under the league's waiver and practice squad rules, a released player like White can rejoin the team's developmental roster if he clears waivers, which the Raiders have indicated they would prefer. The roster turnover reflects a season in which the Raiders must balance veteran depth against the need to find productive receivers.

Fantasy managers who rostered White should reconsider his value, since his role had shrunk to one catch or fewer in each of his last three games. Thornton's 4.30-second speed and 6-foot-5 frame make him a potential deep-threat option once he earns a depth chart spot.

The takeaway

Roster cuts like White's often reflect how quickly depth charts shift when a team's receiver group does not produce, so watch the Week 9 active list for Thornton's first snaps.

What happens next

Thornton is expected to be active for the Week 9 game against the San Francisco 49ers, and White may return to the practice squad if he clears waivers.