Browns place DE Alex Wright on IR, add Derek Barnett

Field Level Media|published: Sun 23rd August, 13:53 2026

Cleveland Browns defensive end Alex Wright (91) takes in drill instruction during day 12 of training camp, Aug. 11, 2026, in Berea, Ohio.

The Cleveland Browns placed starter Alex Wright on injured reserve Sunday and signed fellow defensive end Derek Barnett.

Terms of Barnett's deal were not announced by the Browns, but ESPN reported it was a one-year deal worth up to $5.5 million.

Wright sustained a ruptured Achilles on Thursday while competing in a one-on-one drill during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills.

Signed to a three-year, $33 million extension in November, Wright recorded 5 1/2 sacks and 37 tackles in 14 games (nine starts) last season with Cleveland.

Wright, who turns 26 on Sept. 5, has totaled 11 1/2 sacks and 98 tackles in 51 career games (15 starts) since being selected by the Browns in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of UAB.

Barnett, 30, had five sacks and 21 tackles in 17 games off the bench last season with the Houston Texans.

A Super Bowl champion with Philadelphia, Barnett has notched 34 sacks and 216 tackles in 112 career games (50 starts) with the Texans and Eagles. He was selected by the Eagles with the 14th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Tennessee.

--Field Level Media

Latest