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Browns Lose Starting DE Alex Wright for Season, Sign Derek Barnett

The Cleveland Browns placed starting defensive end Alex Wright on season-ending injured reserve with a ruptured Achilles suffered during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills. The team signed veteran defensive end Derek Barnett to a one-year deal worth up to 5 million to help fill the void.

By Tertius News AI Desk 12 distinct · 13 mastheads · 21 articles Version 6 Coverage Aug 19–24, 2026 Published 2d ago

Browns place Alex Wright on IR, sign Derek Barnett

The Cleveland Browns will be without starting defensive end Alex Wright for the remainder of the 2026 season after he suffered a ruptured Achilles during Thursday's joint practice with the Buffalo Bills.

Wright was placed on season-ending injured reserve on Sunday, and the Browns signed veteran defensive end Derek Barnett to a one-year contract worth up to 5 million in a corresponding move, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler and confirmed by the team.

Injury details

Wright was injured during a one-on-one pass-rush drill against Bills offensive tackle Spencer Brown. He landed awkwardly and was carted off the practice field. Tests later revealed a season-ending ruptured Achilles.

This is the second major season-ending injury for Wright, who also missed the final 14 games of the 2024 season with a torn triceps.

Wright, 25, was coming off a career-best season in 2025, recording 5 sacks and 37 tackles over 14 games. He was expected to start opposite Jared Verse, who arrived in the offseason trade that sent Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams.

Coach's reaction

Browns coach Todd Monken expressed disappointment over losing Wright, who signed a three-year, $33 million extension in November 2025.

"We're disappointed for Alex," Monken said. "I would say in some ways I feel like I've grown close to Alex over the few months we've been together. I think he was all-in and really starting to lead in his own way, and he certainly brings a certain style of toughness to our defense that we'll miss."

Barnett arrives

Barnett, 30, is a nine-year veteran who spent the last three seasons with the Houston Texans. He recorded 5 sacks in 2025 and has 34 career sacks over 112 games.

Barnett was a first-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017 and won a Super Bowl with the franchise in his rookie season.

Depth questions

The Browns had been looking for pass-rush help even before Wright's injury. They hosted Jadeveon Clowney and Za'Darius Smith, but Clowney signed with the Texans and Smith with the Atlanta Falcons.

With Wright out, Cleveland is expected to lean on Jared Verse, Isaiah McGuire, and Mike Hall Jr. — who started at defensive end in Saturday's preseason loss to Buffalo and recorded a sack — along with the newly signed Barnett.

Isaiah McGuire is expected to start opposite Verse, according to multiple reports.

How each outlet told it

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Associated Press

Framing: The headline emphasizes the roster move of placing Alex Wright on injured reserve and signing Derek Barnett.

as of Aug 23, 2026, 7:19 PM UTC

Facts Included:

Defensive end Alex Wright was placed on injured reserve by the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Wright suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury during a joint practice against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday.
Wright was carted off after going down in a 1-on-1 drill against Bills offensive tackle Spencer Brown.
Wright had a career-high 5 1/2 sacks last season.
Wright was being counted on to help offset the loss of Myles Garrett after he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams.
Wright is in his fifth season, was a third-round pick in 2022, and signed a three-year, $33 million contract last November.
Coach Todd Monken said: "We're disappointed for Alex. I would say in some ways I feel like I've grown close to Alex over the few months we've been together. I think he was all-in and really starting to lead in his own way, and he certainly brings a certain style of toughness to our defense that we'll miss."
The Browns signed Derek Barnett to fill Wright's spot.
Barnett is a 10-year veteran who played six seasons for Philadelphia and has been with Houston the past three, where he had 12 1/2 sacks.
Cleveland will also look at Isaiah McGuire and Mike Hall Jr. to start opposite Jared Verse.