The Cleveland Browns will place starting defensive end Alex Wright on season-ending injured reserve following a severe lower-leg injury, prompting the club to swiftly agree to terms with veteran edge rusher Derek Barnett on a one-year contract.
Wright suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon on Thursday during a joint practice session with the Buffalo Bills. The 25-year-old defender was carted off the field after pulling up during a one-on-one pass-rushing drill against Bills offensive tackle Spencer Brown. Selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Wright was slated to anchor a key starting spot on Cleveland’s defensive line after recording a career-high 5.5 sacks across 14 appearances last season.
To fill the sudden void on the defensive front, Cleveland reached an agreement on a one-year contract with Barnett worth up to $5.5 million. The transaction addresses a pressing need for front-office leadership, which had been evaluating market options to bolster pass-rushing depth prior to Wright’s departure. Barnett, 30, enters his 10th professional season bringing considerable playoff and starting experience. A former first-round selection by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017, the veteran edge rusher spent his recent campaigns with the Houston Texans, accumulating 34 career sacks and 50 starts over 112 regular-season contests.
The roster moves finalize a turbulent stretch for Cleveland’s front seven as training camp concludes. Barnett is expected to join the squad immediately to integrate into the defensive scheme ahead of the upcoming regular-season opener.
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