Cleveland’s defensive line took a big hit this weekend as starting defensive end Alex Wright ruptured his Achilles during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills
ESPN sources: The Browns are placing starting DE Alex Wright on season-ending injured reserve with a ruptured Achilles, and they now will sign former first-round pick DE Derek Barnett.
Wright was carted off the practice field Thursday after getting hurt during a one-on-one drill… pic.twitter.com/RDBRDFeAj9
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 23, 2026
He went down working a one-on-one pass rush rep against tackle Spencer Brown, and was carted off the field. The Browns have now put him on season-ending IR.
It’s a tough break for Wright who was coming off a career year. The 25-year-old had a career-high 5.5 sacks last season and signed a three-year, $33 million extension in November.
He was the projected starter across from Jared Verse, the pass rusher the Browns obtained in the offseason trade that sent Myles Garrett to the Rams.
Cleveland responds fast
The Browns acted almost immediately by signing veteran defensive end Derek Barnett to a one-year deal worth as much as $5.5 million.
Barnett, a first-round pick for the Eagles in 2017, won a Super Bowl in his rookie season and had 21.5 sacks in seven seasons with Philadelphia before spending the last three years in Houston, where he added 12.5 sacks and even scored twice on fumble recoveries.
Cleveland had already been kicking the tires on the edge rusher market prior to Wright’s injury, bringing in both Jadeveon Clowney and Za’Darius Smith for visits.
Neither signed with the Browns, with Clowney going to Houston and Smith landing in Atlanta.
Next man up
Isaiah McGuire should ideally slide into the starting role opposite Verse until Barnett gets up to speed. McGuire has 5.5 career sacks in three seasons
Mike Hall Jr. also played defensive end in Saturday’s preseason loss to Buffalo and had a sack of his own.
Roster cuts are looming, and Cleveland’s defensive line picture is still coming into focus.
