Carl Nassib returns to Las Vegas Raiders practice on Thursday

Carl Nassib, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end, and the first openly gay player in the league, took a personal day following the resignation of head coach Jon Gruden. According to multiple NFL reporters, he returned to practice on Thursday.

General manager Mike Mayock told reporters “of course” the franchise supported Nassib’s off day, according to NBC Sports. Teammates, including tight end Darren Waller, also showed support for their teammate.

“He’s pretty much a lone wolf when it comes to that,” said Waller. “Nobody should be able to tell him how to feel. Nobody should be able to tell him how to grieve. He deserves to take time for himself because that’s a lot to process.”

The Las Vegas Raiders have not provided further information on Carl Nassib’s status for Sunday’s road game against the Denver Broncos. So far this season, the defensive end has played 31% of the Raiders’ defensive snaps, recording nine tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.

More on Carl Nassib’s absence

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden resigned on Monday after a story came out detailing inappropriate communications via email from 2010 to 2018. Among Gruden’s offensive comments, exposed by the New York Times, were homophobic sentiments.

In the emails, Gruden called the league’s commissioner Roger Goodell an offensive homophobic slur, among other things. He also criticized the Rams for drafting Michael Sam, the first openly gay player drafted, in 2014.

Carl Nassib came out on June 22 in an Instagram post, becoming the only opening gay player in the NFL.

“I just want to take a quick moment to say that I’m gay,” Nassib said in a video. “I just think that representation and visibility are so important. I actually hope that, like, one day, videos like this and the whole coming-out process are just not necessary. Until then I’m going to do my best and my part to cultivate a culture that’s accepting, that’s compassionate.

“Sadly, I have agonized over this moment for the last 15 years,” he wrote in the post, while also thanking his coaches and teammates for their support.

The Penn State alum is in his second season with the Raiders and fifth in the NFL. The Cleveland Browns drafted him in the third round of the 2016 draft. The Browns waived Nassib in 2018, allowing him to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nassib’s contract with the Raiders is for three years, worth $25 million.