Browns place DE Alex Wright on injured reserve, sign Derek Barnett
Cleveland Browns defensive end Alex Wright, right, is carted off the field with an apparent leg injury during a joint NFL football practice with the Buffalo Bills in Berea, Ohio, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. Credit: AP/David Richard
BEREA, Ohio — Defensive end Alex Wright was placed on injured reserve by the Cleveland Browns on Sunday because of a season-ending Achilles tendon injury he suffered during a joint practice against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday.
Wright was carted off after he went down while working in a 1-on-1 drill against Bills offensive tackle Spencer Brown.
Wright — who had a career-high 5 1/2 sacks last season — was being counted on to help offset the loss of superstar Myles Garrett after he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. He is in his fifth season after being a third-round pick in 2022 and signed a three-year, $33 million contract last November.
“We’re disappointed for Alex. I would say in some ways I feel like I’ve grown close to Alex over the few months we’ve been together," coach Todd Monken said on Sunday.
"I think he was all-in and really starting to lead in his own way, and he certainly brings a certain style of toughness to our defense that we’ll miss.”
The Browns signed Derek Barnett to fill Wright's spot. The 10-year veteran played six seasons for Philadelphia and has been with Houston the past three where he had 12 1/2 sacks.
Cleveland will also look at Isaiah McGuire and Mike Hall Jr. to start opposite Jared Verse.
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