Dae'Quan Wright, Zxavian Harris Reportedly Can't Return to NFL in 2026 After LSU Roster Drama

After attempting to return to LSU after spending time in NFL training camps this summer, tight end Dae'Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris reportedly won't be allowed to jump back to the pros this year.

According to The Ringer's Tom Pelissero, the NFL sent a memo to teams on Wednesday announcing that Wright and Harris "are ineligible to visit, try out with or be signed by NFL clubs during the 2026 NFL season." Pelissero added that the memo stated that this announcement "is not inclusive of all 2026 draft-eligible players who returned to college."

According to agent Drew Rosenhaus, Wright "is looking at his legal options right now and we will have more to say in the near future."

After going undrafted in April, Wright spent the offseason with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns, while Harris joined the New Orleans Saints. When both players were waived by their respective teams last month, they made a shocking attempt to commit to play at LSU this season after a court injunction granted a temporary restraining order allowing some players to return to college for one more season. Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin defended his pursuit of the former NFL players.

"At the end of the day, because of these rulings, they're either going to play for you or they're going to play for someone else around the country," Kiffin said at the time. "So we've made the decision to recruit them like probably most people are."

However, Wright and Harris were not added to LSU's roster for the team's season opener against Clemson. Before the Tigers' Week 2 matchup against Louisiana Tech, they added cornerback Aidan Anding and defensive end Gabriel Reliford to complete their 105-man roster, putting an end to their efforts to add Wright and Harris. ESPN's Max Olson reported that attorney Ryan Downton, who represents Wright and Harris, said that the players are "considering their legal options."

Following Wednesday's memo from the NFL, Wright and Harris won't have anywhere to play in 2026. Pelissero noted that since they have already been draft-eligible, they will simply become free agents at the end of the season.