Browns lose DE Wright (Achilles) for season, add DE Barnett
Cleveland Browns starting defensive lineman Alex Wright ruptured his Achilles during Thursday's joint practice with the Buffalo Bills, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Sunday. Wright was injured while attempting a pass rush against Bills offensive tackle Spencer Brown in a 1-on-1 drill and left practice on a cart. The Browns are placing Wright on season-ending injured reserve.
In the wake of the injury, the Browns are signing veteran pass rusher Derek Barnett to a one-year contract worth up to $5.5 million, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Barnett, 30, most recently played with the Houston Texans last season, recording five sacks. He had 12.5 sacks in three seasons in Houston and scored two touchdowns on fumble recoveries in 2024.
Barnett was a first-round pick by the Eagles in 2017 and had 21.5 sacks in seven seasons with Philadelphia, winning a Super Bowl with the franchise in 2017.
Wright, 25, recorded a career-high 5.5 sacks last season and signed a three-year, $33 million contract extension last November. The Browns were looking at Wright to step up opposite two-time Pro Bowler Jared Verse in the aftermath of the trade that sent Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams.
Cleveland was already scouring the edge rusher market before Wright's injury, hosting Jadeveon Clowney and Za'Darius Smith on visits in recent weeks, though both opted to sign elsewhere, with Clowney joining the Texans and Smith joining the Falcons. Fourth-year player Isaiah McGuire, who has 5.5 career sacks in three seasons including two sacks in 2025, is expected to start opposite Verse with Wright sidelined.