The Las Vegas Raiders opened Jack Bech’s 21-day practice window ahead of the Week 8 matchup against the New York Jets. However, Bech’s game status is still unclear after the Raiders released the final injury report for the week and head coach Klint Kubiak held his Friday press conference.
Bech, who has been on injured reserve with a broken
right forearm since the Week 3 game against the New Orleans Saints, is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Kubiak was asked if the wide receiver will be activated before the team’s trek to the Big Apple, but the coach said they have until Saturday to make that decision, according to The Athletic’s Sam Warren.
The 2025 second-round pick had five catches for 48 yards and a touchdown in the three games he played to begin the season, while also serving as a notable run blocker on the perimeter. If Bech can’t play, then recently activated wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. could see a good amount of playing time in what is expected to be his season debut. Thornton has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since the beginning of training camp, and Warren also reported that Kubiak said Thornton’s workload in New York is to be determined.
In other Raiders injury news, backup edge defender Patrick Johnson (stinger) has been ruled out. That could lead to practice squad edge Cian Slone getting his third call-up in as many weeks. However, Slone has been a healthy scratch during the last two Sundays, and this would be his last call-up before the team has to add him to the 53-man roster if they want to elevate the undrafted rookie a fourth time. Guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (back) was a non-participant in Thursday’s practice but was upgraded to limited on Friday and listed as questionable for Sunday.
As for the Jets, their defensive line is pretty beaten up. Defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat (knee) and edge rusher Joseph Ossai (ankle) have been ruled out, while rookie edge/second overall pick David Bailey (groin) is doubtful. Bailey didn’t practice at all during the week. Additionally, running back Breece Hall (quad) and offensive lineman/former Raider Dylan Parham (knee) are questionable. Hall was limited in practice all week, and Parham was limited for the first two sessions but was a full-go on Friday.
