Browns Sign Former 1st-Rounder to Contract After Star DE's Season-Ending Injury, New Rumors Reveal

The Cleveland Browns lost one of their most important defensive players for the 2026 season, but they quickly pivoted to find a replacement.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Browns defensive end Alex Wright will be placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a torn Achilles this past week. Cleveland reportedly will sign veteran defensive end and former first-round pick Derek Barnett to a one-year deal worth up to $5.5 million, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Wright suffered the injury on Thursday during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills. He went down during a one-on-one drill with Bills offensive tackle Spencer Brown and had to be carted off the field.

The Browns signed Wright to a three-year, $33 million contract extension during the 2025 season, and he finished with career highs of 37 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He was expected to play a bigger role this year for a Cleveland defense that will need to replace the production of two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who was traded to the Los Angeles Rams.

The No. 14 pick in the 2017 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, Barnett won a Super Bowl title in his rookie year. He spent the last two-plus seasons with the Houston Texans after being claimed off waivers in 2023. He appeared in all 17 games in 2025 and produced 21 tackles and five sacks.

Per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi, the Browns were "already scouring the edge rusher market before Wright's injury," and they hosted veterans Jadeveon Clowney and Za'Darius Smith on visits in recent weeks before they signed elsewhere. Fourth-year pro Isaiah McGuire reportedly is expected to take Wright's spot in the starting lineup opposite two-time Pro Bowler Jared Verse, who will now be counted on even more to lead Cleveland's defense.