Overview
- Tuesday the Raiders cut defensive tackle Jonah Laulu and activated wide receiver Dont'e Thornton to fill the 53-man roster spot, according to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz and team reporting.
- Laulu, who was a waiver claim from the Colts, had been productive in 2025 with eight tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and 86 tackles but fell out of the rotation this season and was a healthy scratch multiple times.
- Media and team analysts framed the release as a possible prelude to adding a veteran interior lineman, with DeForest Buckner repeatedly named as a reported fit and trade target in recent coverage.
- The Athletic reported Buckner’s projected 2026 cap hit at about $6.5 million and noted his production through six weeks, which has fed talk that he could be an affordable, movable target before the deadline.
- With Laulu gone, younger depth players such as 2025 sixth-round pick J.J. Pegues are expected to see more snaps and the Raiders’ front office will be watched for any defensive-line trades before November 10.