Thornton (back) added to report, questionable

It was his last possible day to be reinstated in his 21-day window. The fact that Klint Kubiak spent much of Thornton’s 21-day window talking about how he had to go show us something makes us think Thornton will probably just be a depth piece for the time being. The Raiders waived Jonah Laulu to make room for Thornton.

This is rough. Currently on injured reserve, Thornton began practicing in Week 5, activating his 21-day practice window. The young wide receiver told reporters that he was “overly confident” in his hamstring and is “ready to play.” Two weeks later, the team has not yet officially removed him from injured reserve. Per Kubiak, Thornton “had a good first week, had a good second week,” but he still has to go “out there to practice to show us that he’s ready.” He’s been practicing in full for two weeks. The fact that the wide receiver-needy Raiders have not yet activated him is not encouraging. Thornton does not need to be stashed in 12-team leagues at this time.

Thornton is in Week 2 of his 21-day window and figures to return in Week 7 or Week 8. Obviously there’s not much reason to trust him in fantasy at this time, but he may find a real role on Las Vegas’ depth chart.

The Raiders activated Thornton’s 21-day practice window this week. Despite the young wide receiver saying he feels “ready to play,” the team has determined that he needs more time. With Jalen Nailor (concussion) also ruled out, Cody White (ankle) and Malik Benson will round out three-wide receiver sets behind Tre Tucker.

Thornton has been on injured reserve since late August, practicing in full for the first time on Wednesday. He told Raiders media that he is “overly confident” in his hamstring and is “ready to play.” With Jack Bech on injured reserve, there is room for the 23-year-old speedster to earn targets if he plays in Week 5.

The lanky speedster was placed on injured reserve late in August. He is not exceptionally talented, but he can contribute meaningfully to an NFL offense. Getting him back would help keep safeties honest. Stay tuned.

Thornton has been dealing with an undisclosed injury that has prevented the wideout from practicing over the last month. The 23-year-old can return in four weeks, but there’s no timeline as to when the 2025 fourth-round pick will return to the Vegas lineup.

We still don’t know what Thornton is dealing with, but the second-year receiver hasn’t practiced since August 7th. Kubiak said earlier this month that he expected Thornton to return sometime during the preseason, but that didn’t come to fruition. Even if he’s able to make it back on the practice field ahead of Week 1, Thornton is unlikely to make any major contributions to the offense at this time.

Thornton has missed nearly a whole week of practice, paving the way for Jack Bech and rookie Malik Benson to see more reps. Kubiak said Thornton has “been banged up a little bit” this training camp, but did not go into further detail on his situation. Thornton caught 10 passes for 135 scoreless yards last season after generating plenty of camp hype. He is not on the fantasy radar at this time.

Thornton was at practice in street clothes Tuesday, missing his fourth straight. He left a training camp practice early last week and has not received a diagnosis or return timetable. Jack Bech, Jalen Nailor, and Tre Tucker are listed as the Raiders’ starting wide receivers on the team’s first unofficial depth chart of the preseason. Thornton is listed as Nailor’s backup but may be losing ground to Malik Benson as he misses time.