Overview
- The Browns announced Sunday that they placed starting defensive end Alex Wright on injured reserve and signed veteran Derek Barnett to a one‑year deal reported up to $5.5 million.
- Wright suffered a ruptured Achilles during a one‑on‑one drill with Buffalo Bills tackle Spencer Brown on Thursday and will undergo surgery with a 2026 season‑ending recovery timeline.
- Wright had signed a three‑year, $33 million extension last November that included roughly $21 million guaranteed, leaving Cleveland to absorb the contract while he rehabs.
- Coaches have already given Mike Hall Jr. and other internal options edge reps and general manager Andrew Berry is expected to continue pursuing veteran or trade help before roster cutdowns.
- Barnett is a former first‑round pick and Super Bowl winner who has been a rotational edge rusher in recent seasons and provides immediate experience to a room that missed out on veterans Za’Darius Smith and Jadeveon Clowney.