The Raiders got a much-needed sign of progress on Monday with Jack Bech moving closer to a return.
Las Vegas designated the second-year wide receiver to return from injured reserve, which starts a 21-day practice window and gives the team time to decide whether he belongs back on the 53-man roster. Bech has been sidelined since breaking his forearm in the Week 3 win over the New Orleans Saints.
His season was cut short after only three games, but he made a clear impact in that stretch. Bech caught five passes for 48 yards and scored one touchdown on six targets before the injury stopped his run.
Now the Raiders can bring him back onto the practice field and see how ready he is. That also opens the door for a possible return against the New York Jets on Sunday, though that will come down to whether he’s ready. If he isn’t activated within the three-week window, he’ll stay unavailable for at least another week.
Bech’s return would add another option to a receiver group that already has a defined order. Before the injury, he was working as Las Vegas’ third wideout behind Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor.
Tucker, especially, has been rolling lately, with 10 catches for 200 yards and three touchdowns on 19 targets over the past two weeks. Brock Bowers still sits at the center of the passing game, so Bech may ease back into more of a supporting role at first.
Bech, a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, put together 20 receptions for 224 yards during his rookie season and finished eighth on the team in targets.
The Raiders are also juggling another second-year receiver situation with Dont'e Thornton. He has been practicing for three weeks without being activated, and head coach Klint Kubiak said the issue has largely been conditioning after Thornton missed training camp.
Las Vegas has until Wednesday to make a call on him, or his season will be over. Thornton had 10 catches for 135 yards as a rookie in 2025.
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