The Raiders Make a Decision on Canadian Niklas Henning

Niklas Henning's NFL career has just reached a new milestone. The Canadian offensive lineman has been released by the Las Vegas Raiders, but this decision does not necessarily mean the end of his time with the organization.

According to reports, Las Vegas would prefer to keep Henning on its practice squad if he makes it through the waiver process without being claimed by another team.

The Canadian reportedly made a favorable impression during training camp and the preseason games. The Raiders still consider him to have promising potential for the future.

Henning played in three preseason games this year, participating in 59 plays in total. Notably, he was given more offensive responsibilities during the second game. According to data from Pro Football Focus, he allowed only one pressure during that stretch.

A young player who continues to improve

At 6 feet 6 inches and 298 pounds, Henning has a particularly promising physical profile for an offensive lineman.

His background is also impressive. He was selected second overall in the 2026 CFL Draft by the Toronto Argonauts, who still hold his rights.

Before making the leap to the pros, Henning excelled with the Queen's University Gaels. After helping the team win the Yates Cup in 2025, he was named to the OUA First All-Conference Team and the Canadian Second All-Star Team.

His athletic abilities also drew attention at the CFL Combine. Notably, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.90 seconds, recorded a vertical jump of 31.5 inches, and completed 27 repetitions on the bench press with 225 pounds.

His journey is all the more remarkable given that he hasn't always played on the offensive line. In 2024, he participated in the U Sports East-West Bowl as a tight end.

Born near Munich, Germany, Henning moved to Canada with his family when he was just two years old. He grew up in Milton, Ontario.

For now, his immediate future will depend on the waiver process. But all signs point to the Raiders wanting to continue counting on Niklas Henning and offering him an opportunity to continue his development within their organization.

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