The Cleveland Browns are placing edge rusher Alex Wright on season-ending injured reserve due to a ruptured Achilles, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Wright was carted off during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills on Thursday after suffering the injury in a one-on-one pass-rush drill, according to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot. Wright landed awkwardly while facing Bills offensive tackle Spencer Brown.
The 25-year-old was projected to be a starter this season across from Jared Verse. The Browns selected him in the third round of the 2022 draft out of UAB.
Wright suited up in 14 games last season, recording 22 pressures, 12 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. Cleveland rewarded him with a three-year, $33-million extension in November 2025.
The Browns are signing veteran defensive end Derek Barnett to a one-year, $5.5-million contract in a corresponding move, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Barnett, a former first-round pick, spent the last three seasons with the Houston Texans.
Cleveland lost 31-7 to Buffalo on Saturday and will play its preseason finale Aug. 27 against the New England Patriots.
