Sources: Browns lose DE Wright (Achilles) for season, add Barnett
The Cleveland Browns are placing starting defensive lineman Alex Wright on season-ending injured reserve after he ruptured his Achilles in Thursday's joint practice with the Buffalo Bills, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. In response, the Browns are signing veteran pass rusher Derek Barnett, according to sources.
Barnett's deal is a one-year contract worth up to $5.5 million, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Wright, 25, was injured while attempting to execute a pass rush against Bills offensive tackle Spencer Brown in a 1-on-1 drill and later left practice on a cart.
Wright recorded a career-high 5.5 sacks last season and signed a three-year, $33 million contract extension last November. The Browns were counting on Wright to start opposite two-time Pro Bowler Jared Verse following the trade that sent Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams.
Cleveland had already been searching the edge rusher market before Wright's injury, hosting Jadeveon Clowney and Za'Darius Smith on visits in recent weeks before those players signed with the Texans and Falcons, respectively. 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.
Barnett, 30, most recently played with the Houston Texans last season, recording five sacks, and had 12.5 sacks in three seasons in Houston with two touchdowns on fumble recoveries in 2024. A first-round pick by the Eagles in 2017, Barnett had 21.5 sacks in seven seasons with Philadelphia and won a Super Bowl with the franchise in 2017.