yahoo
The Las Vegas Raiders faced a roster deadline this week, needing to activate wide receiver Dont'e Thornton from injured reserve. To accommodate Thornton's return, the team waived defensive tackle Jonah Laulu, a former starter. The Raiders likely hoped Laulu would clear waivers and rejoin the practice squad, but those hopes were dashed when the Tennessee Titans claimed him on Wednesday.
In a separate move, the Raiders filled the vacated practice squad spot by signing edge rusher Braden Trice, a former third-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons. Laulu originally entered the league as a seventh-round selection by the Indianapolis Colts in 2024. After being waived at the end of his first training camp, he was claimed by Las Vegas.
During his tenure with the Raiders, Laulu appeared in 39 games, starting 22. He accumulated 91 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 12 quarterback hits. This season, he saw action in five games but was inactive in Week 7, alongside Thomas Booker IV, as the team favored second-year player JJ Pegues.
Key Analysis
Laulu's departure signals a shift in favor under the Raiders' new coaching staff, which has opted for a revamped defensive tackle rotation. The top three at the position now consist of Tonka Hemingway, Adam Butler, and Folorunso Fatukasi. The Titans, meanwhile, add a young, experienced interior defender to their roster.
Originally reported by yahoo.