Dont'e Thornton Jr. - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Sent to injured reserve The Raiders placed Thornton (undisclosed) on injured reserve Monday.

Impact It's still unclear what is bothering Thornton, but he'll now be required to miss at least the first four games of the regular season. The 2025 fourth-rounder corralled just 10 of 30 targets for 135 scoreless yards across 15 regular-season appearances as a rookie last season and missed the entire preseason this summer. Under a new coaching staff, it's unclear what kind of role Thornton will have this season once healthy.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Still not practicing Thornton (undisclosed) didn't practice Monday, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.

Impact Per Levi Damien of USA Today, Thornton has been missing from practice for the past of couple weeks and has yet to play this preseason. When he's able to return,Thornton will look to reestablish his slotting in a Raiders WR corps that also includes Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech and Malik Benson.

AUGUST 24 • ROTOWIRE

Misses reps Thornton (undisclosed) did not participate in Sunday's practice, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.

Impact Thornton was present at the Raiders' facility doing work off to the side out of pads. The wide receiver missed Thursday's preseason opener against the Cardinals and will continue to miss valuable reps as he recovers from a minor issue. The missed reps allow Malik Benson and Jack Bech to extend their lead in the competition for the No. 3 receiver spot, with Benson in particular pulling ahead as he continues to see reps with the first-team offense.

AUGUST 16 • ROTOWIRE

Set to return during preseason Thornton (undisclosed) did not play in Thursday night's preseason opener against the Cardinals.

Impact The wide receiver exited last Friday's practice with an injury. Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reported that Thornton is expected to return to the field at some point during the preseason, but there is no specific week targeted. The Raiders' receiving room is currently wide open, and the more time the 23-year-old misses, the harder it will be to take one of the top slots.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Still dealing with injury Thornton (undisclosed) did not participate at the Raiders' training camp practice Tuesday, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Thornton left practice early last week Friday after presumably suffering some type of injury, and he still hasn't been able to make his way back onto the practice field. If he can't play in Thursday's preseason contest versus the Cardinals, it could open up more opportunities for rookie sixth-rounder Malik Benson and offseason free-agent acquisition Dareke Young.

AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves Friday's practice early Thornton (undisclosed) exited Friday's practice early, Sam Warren of The Athletic reports.

Impact Thornton, who is coming off a 2025 season in which he caught 10 passes for 135 yards on 30 targets over 15 games, is competing with Jack Bech and Malik Benson for slotting in a Las Vegas WR corps that's led by Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor. Any missed time won't help his cause, but in any case the team's No. 3 option at the position may not see heavy volume in 2026, with two-TE sets featuring Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer likely to be used frequently this season.

AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE

Ends rookie season with 10 catches Thornton finished his rookie campaign with 10 total receptions for 135 yards on 30 targets over 15 games.

Impact Thornton was expected to be more of a developmental project when the Raiders selected him 108th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Tennessee, but a 10-135-0 receiving line for the 6-foot-5, 205-pound burner was still a major disappointment considering the underwhelming target competition in Las Vegas. That being said, Thornton could compete for a starting WR role on the outside across from Tre Tucker in 2026 if the new regime doesn't address the position in the offseason, though tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is set to remain a focal point in the passing game as well. Nonetheless, fellow rookie receiver Jack Bech was a slightly more productive option than Thornton down the stretch.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Four targets in blowout loss Thornton caught two of four targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Giants.

Impact Thornton filled the WR2 role behind Tre Tucker with fellow rookie Jack Bech (back) sidelined for Sunday's contest, but Thornton averaged just 3.0 yards per target while playing 78 percent of the Raiders' offensive snaps. If Bech manages to return for a Week 18 matchup against the Chiefs, Thornton's involvement could diminish.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Logs four snaps in defeat Thornton was not targeted in Sunday's 23-21 loss to the Texans.

Impact Thornton played just four offensive snaps in the Raiders' ninth consecutive defeat, while fellow rookie receiver Jack Bech caught two of three targets for 43 yards in the WR2 role behind Tre Tucker. Thornton has not caught a pass since Week 13, and he's even ceded playing time to punt returner Alex Bachman.

DECEMBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Not targeted against Philadelphia Thornton failed to record a single target in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Eagles.

Impact Thornton played just eight of the Raiders' 42 offensive snaps, behind fellow wide receivers Tre Tucker (39), Jack Bech (34) and Tyler Lockett (32). The rookie wideout has had an underwhelming start to his career, recording just eight receptions on 25 targets for 123 yards in 12 appearances. Thornton should continue to develop, but it appears the Raiders are unlikely to expand his role in the final stretch of the season. The Tennessee product remains far off the fantasy radar heading into a Week 16 matchup against the Texans.

DECEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for Week 15 Thornton (concussion) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Eagles.

Impact After being limited Wednesday, Thornton worked fully Thursday and Friday, and in the process he progressed through the NFL's concussion protocol. However, with an 8-123-0 receiving line on 25 targets through 11 games, Thornton is off the fantasy radar, while working in a Las Vegas WR corps that also includes Tre Tucker, Jack Bech and Tyler Lockett.

DECEMBER 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Full practice Thursday Thornton (concussion) practiced fully Thursday.

Impact Thornton was limited at practice Wednesday, but his return to a full session a day later has him on track to play Sunday against the Eagles, barring any setbacks. Friday's injury report will reveal whether the wideout heads into the weekend with an injury designation, but with an 8-123-0 line on 25 targets through 11 games, Thornton is off the fantasy radar.

DECEMBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Limited practice Wednesday Thornton (concussion) was limited at practice Wednesday.

Impact Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com previously indicated that Thornton -- who was inactive in Week 14 -- had cleared the NFL's concussion protocol, but the wideout was nonetheless deemed limited Wednesday. He'll have two more opportunities to upgrade his participation level before the Raiders assign game statuses for Sunday's game against the Eagles.

DECEMBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Clears concussion protocol Thornton has cleared concussion protocol, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Thornton will be available for Sunday's game at Philadelphia, but the extent of his role is unclear, especially after fellow rookie Jack Bech stepped up with six catches in Thornton's absence during a loss to the Broncos this past Sunday.

DECEMBER 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Broncos beat Raiders 24-17 to extend winning streak to 10 games as Geno Smith injured

The Denver Broncos have finally won a game where they didn't fall behind

DECEMBER 8, 2025 • Associated Press

Ruled out for Week 14 Thornton (concussion) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Broncos, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Thornton suffered a concussion in the Raiders' Week 13 loss to the Chargers and couldn't practice at all during the week. That suggests he hasn't made much progress through the league's concussion protocol. Jack Bech is expected to have a chance to step up in Thornton's absence.

DECEMBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Broncos face Raiders, looking to extend win streak to 10 games

The Denver Broncos face the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday

DECEMBER 4, 2025 • Associated Press

Sidelined at practice Wednesday Thornton (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday.

Impact Thornton, who was forced out of the Raiders' Week 13 loss to the Chargers after recording 14 snaps on offense, has two more chances to practice in advance of Sunday's game against the Broncos. If he's unable to gain clearance to play this weekend, added WR snaps alongside Tre Tucker would be available for Tyler Lockett and Jack Bech.

DECEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Herbert throws 2 TD passes despite hand injury, Chargers send Raiders to 6th straight loss, 31-14

Justin Herbert threw two touchdown passes while playing through an injury to his non-throwing hand, and Kimani Vidal made a 59-yard scoring run during the Los Angeles Chargers’ 31-...

DECEMBER 1, 2025 • Associated Press

Done for day Thornton (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's contest against the Chargers.

Impact Thornton took a blow to the head in the second half, and he is now officially done for the day with a concussion. The wide receiver caught one of two targets for 11 yards prior to his departure.

DECEMBER 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Possible concussion Thornton is being evaluated for a possible concussion and is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Impact Thornton caught one pass (on two targets) for 11 yards before exiting the game, and he is being evaluated by medical staff to determine whether he can return to Sunday's game. Jack Bech and Alex Bachman are slated for more offensive snaps for as long as Thornton is out of the game.

NOVEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Makes 14-yard catch in loss Thornton caught one of two targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Browns.

Impact Thornton continues to fill the Raiders' WR3 role ahead of fellow rookie Jack Bech, but once again, a 38 percent offensive snap share didn't translate to much fantasy production for Thornton. Meanwhile, Ashton Jeanty (ankle), Brock Bowers and Tre Tucker combined to see 27 total targets from quarterback Geno Smith. Thornton figures to remain a decoy against the Chargers in Week 13.

NOVEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Not targeted in loss Thornton was not targeted in Monday's 33-16 loss to the Cowboys.

Impact Thornton logged 38 percent of the Raiders' offensive snaps behind fellow receivers Tre Tucker and Tyler Lockett on Monday, but quarterback Geno Smith didn't look Thornton's way. Meanwhile, fellow rookie Jack Bech hauled in his lone target for 19 yards before returning to a reserve role. Through nine games played this season, Thornton owns a disappointing 6-98-0 receiving line.

NOVEMBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Manages one reception on TNF Thornton caught one of two targets for four yards in Thursday's 10-7 loss to the Broncos.

Impact Thornton, who was deemed a healthy scratch in Week 9, returned to the lineup Thursday after fellow receiver Jakobi Meyers was shipped to Jacksonville ahead of the trade deadline. However, Thornton made several key mistakes in the prime time contest, including an offensive pass interference penalty on a would-be Tre Tucker touchdown, followed by a drop on an accurate deep ball down the right sideline. Nonetheless, Thornton logged 37 offensive snaps to Jack Bech's 14, and a much more promising matchup against the Cowboys awaits on Monday Night Football in Week 11.

NOVEMBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Geno Smith battered by relentless Denver defense in Raiders' 10-7 loss

Geno Smith struggled all evening with a relentless Denver Broncos pass rush as the Las Vegas Raiders quarterback was sacked six times in a 10-7 loss

NOVEMBER 7, 2025 • Associated Press

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Broncos beat Raiders 24-17 to extend winning streak to 10 games as Geno Smith injured

Broncos face Raiders, looking to extend win streak to 10 games

Herbert throws 2 TD passes despite hand injury, Chargers send Raiders to 6th straight loss, 31-14

Geno Smith battered by relentless Denver defense in Raiders' 10-7 loss