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

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.

2 DAYS AGO • 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

Will be active Thursday Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that Thornton will be active for Thursday's road matchup against the Broncos, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Thornton was a healthy scratch Week 9, but he now rejoins Raiders' the wide receiver rotation following the team's decision to trade Jakobi Meyers to Jacksonville. The rookie fourth-round pick hasn't logged a catch across his last four regular-season appearances, despite having drawn seven targets in that span. Across seven career games, Thornton has secured five of 19 targets for 94 yards.

NOVEMBER 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Trevor Lawrence scores in OT and Jags' DaVon Hamilton denies Raiders' 2-point try for 30-29 win

Trevor Lawrence scored on a quarterback sneak in overtime, and the Jacksonville Jaguars held on to beat the Las Vegas Raiders 30-29

NOVEMBER 3, 2025 • Associated Press

Inactive Sunday Thornton is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Impact With Thornton the odd man out in Week 9, Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, Tyler Lockett and Alex Bachman will handle the Raiders WR duties versus Jacksonville. Through seven games to date, Thornton has caught five of his 19 targets for 94 yards.

NOVEMBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Fills in for Meyers Thornton was unable to haul in any of his three targets in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Chiefs.

Impact Thornton actually had a pair of would-be first down receptions wiped out by penalties, but he ended the contest with a zero in the box score because of the flags. Nonetheless, his playing time surged with Jakobi Meyers (knee) and Brock Bowers (knee) sidelined, as Thornton logged 86 percent of the Raiders' offensive snaps. Meyers is tracking to return after the Week 8 bye, so Thornton figures to continue competing with Jack Bech for the WR3 role.

OCTOBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Logs two offensive snaps in win Thornton was not targeted in Sunday's 20-10 win over the Titans.

Impact Thornton played just two offensive snaps in the Raiders' comfortable win, while fellow rookie Jack Bech remained in the WR3 role behind Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker. Thornton has gone three consecutive games without a reception, becoming an even tougher stash on deep fantasy benches with Las Vegas' bye approaching after a Week 7 contest in Kansas City.

OCTOBER 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Held catchless in loss Thornton failed to reel in either of his two targets in Sunday's 40-6 loss to the Colts.

Impact Thornton was held without a catch for the second straight game Sunday, and his 47 percent offensive snap share was his lowest mark of the season. Through five games, the rookie wideout has recorded just five receptions for 94 yards. Thornton's limited role in the offense makes him extremely difficult to trust for fantasy purposes. The 22-year-old will have his next opportunity to produce when the Raiders host the Titans in Week 6.

OCTOBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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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

Trevor Lawrence scores in OT and Jags' DaVon Hamilton denies Raiders' 2-point try for 30-29 win