Cleveland Browns place Alex Wright on injured reserve, sign Derek Barnett

The Cleveland Browns have placed defensive end Alex Wright on season-ending injured reserve after he suffered a ruptured Achilles during a joint practice. Wright, who signed a three-year, $33 million extension last season, was carted off the field during a one-on-one drill.

To address the loss, the Browns signed defensive end Derek Barnett to a one-year contract. Barnett, 30, previously played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Houston Texans, where he recorded five sacks in 17 games during the 2025 season.

In response to the injury, head coach Todd Monken has utilized Mike Hall Jr. at defensive end during recent preseason action. The team is looking to Hall's versatility and explosiveness to provide depth on the defensive front.