Las Vegas Raiders Release WR Cody White to Activate TE Carter Runyon

Raiders Release Cody White After Three-Touchdown Start to Season

Three touchdowns on his first three receptions. It’s the kind of statistical burst that turns heads in NFL locker rooms and puts a player on the radar overnight. For Cody White, though, that early-season magic in Las Vegas has already faded. The Raiders released the veteran receiver on Wednesday, Silver And Black Pride reported, clearing a roster spot to activate tight end Carter Runyon from injured reserve.

Las Vegas had until Wednesday to either place Runyon on the 53-man roster or leave him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. Runyon had been hurt during training camp and placed on IR, but with that deadline arriving, the team needed to decide his status. With fellow receiver Jack Bech returning to the lineup in Week 8 after his own injured reserve stint, the math no longer worked for keeping White on the active roster.

A Reunion That Sparked Early Success

White’s brief stint in Las Vegas began back in September when the Raiders signed him to their practice squad, reuniting him with head coach Klint Kubiak. The two had won a Super Bowl ring together with the Seattle Seahawks last season, and that existing trust clearly influenced the decision to bring White into the organization. The team elevated him from the practice squad for the first three games of the season, then signed him to the 53-man roster when Bech went down.

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White made the most of his opportunity early. His first three receptions all found the end zone, and he added some big plays on special teams that caught the coaching staff’s attention. Overall, he finished his Raiders tenure with eight catches for 112 yards and three touchdowns on 19 targets. Yet his role diminished quickly in the weeks that followed—by Week 2, he was seeing just two offensive snaps per game, a stark contrast to his early-season usage.

Runyon Ready to Fill the Void

The player stepping into the roster spot brings his own experience and special teams value. Carter Runyon, an undrafted free agent in 2025, played in 13 games last season and logged 206 snaps on special teams and 45 on offense. He’ll join Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, and Ian Thomas to give the Raiders four tight ends on the active roster.

Las Vegas Raiders Release WR Cody White to Activate TE Carter Runyon

The decision creates a ripple effect at wide receiver. With six wideouts still on the 53-man roster, the coaching staff now faces a game-day choice. To take White’s place on the game-day roster, the Raiders will likely choose between Runyon and receivers Dont’e Thornton and Malik Benson, both of whom were inactive in Week 8.

There may be a path back for White. If he clears waivers on Thursday, the Raiders could sign him back to their practice squad, keeping him within the organization while maintaining roster flexibility for the weeks ahead.