Raiders' Dont'e Thornton: Leaves Friday's practice early

August 7, 2026 - 21:18

The Las Vegas Raiders saw one of their defensive pieces head to the locker room ahead of schedule on Friday. Dont'e Thornton, the team's defensive tackle, left practice early after appearing to sustain an undisclosed injury during drills. The coaching staff did not provide immediate details on the nature or severity of the issue, leaving his status for the upcoming week in question.

Thornton had been working with the second-team unit during the open portion of practice. He was seen speaking with trainers on the sideline before walking off under his own power. That is usually a decent sign, but the team has been cautious with players dealing with soft tissue problems this summer.

The former Oregon product signed with the Raiders as a priority free agent and has been competing for a rotational role along the interior defensive line. His ability to clog running lanes and push the pocket has caught the attention of the defensive staff, but missing time now could hurt his chances of making the final roster cut.

The team is expected to release an official injury report later this evening. Head coach Antonio Pierce has not yet commented on whether Thornton will be available for the next preseason contest. For now, the Raiders are simply hoping the injury is not a long-term concern. More updates should come after the weekend walkthrough.