Story by
Browns DE Alex Wright Speaks Out After Season-Ending Injury
- Story by
- Browns DE Alex Wright Speaks Out After Season-Ending Injury
Cleveland Browns defensive end Alex Wright is out for the year. Getty
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 22: Mike Hall Jr. #51 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates a sack during the first quarter of the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field on August 22, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) Getty
Alex Wright 's season is over before it started after the Cleveland Browns defensive end suffered a ruptured Achilles during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills .
Wright sustained the injury during a one-on-one pass-rush drill on Thursday and was carted off the field. The Browns placed him on season-ending injured reserve Sunday.
Advertisement
The injury is a crushing setback for Wright, who was positioned for a breakout year opposite Jared Verse . He posted a career-high 5.5 sacks last season and signed a three-year, $33 million extension in November.
Wright acknowledged that he initially struggled to process the news before turning to his faith.
"At first that light everyone spoke of at end of tunnel looked real dim to the point where I just wanted to turn around especially knowing you been down this road before…mentally physically spiritually," Wright said on Instagram. "I wanted to question God so bad and ask him why are you doing this to me again, this isn't fair till I was reminded I'm one of God's strongest soldiers."
Wright also missed most of the 2024 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn triceps. He returned to deliver the best season of his career in 2025, collecting 37 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 14 games.
"I know this recovery process is going to feel like forever mixed with good and bad days," Wright continued. "But looking at it now I know God didn't want me to have my breakout season this year he knew I wasn't ready for it yet. He's not finished w me so I know when I'm back 100% 91 coming for it all."
Browns Sign Derek Barnett After Losing Alex Wright
The Browns moved quickly to reinforce their defensive line , signing veteran defensive end Derek Barnett while announcing Wright's move to injured reserve.
Advertisement
Barnett arrives with nine years of NFL experience. The Philadelphia Eagles selected him with the No. 14 overall pick in 2017, and he spent his first seven seasons with the franchise before joining the Houston Texans .
Barnett has recorded 216 tackles, 34 sacks, five forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries across 112 career games. He registered five sacks in each of the last two seasons with Houston. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Barnett agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $5.5 million.
Barnett gives the Browns an experienced option, but he is not guaranteed to step directly into Wright's starting role. Isaiah McGuire is expected to receive a significant opportunity opposite Verse after serving primarily as a rotational player during his first three seasons.
The Browns were exploring veteran additions before Wright went down. Za'Darius Smith and Jadeveon Clowney both visited Cleveland during training camp but ultimately signed elsewhere .
Mike Hall Jr. Could Join Browns' Defensive End Rotation
Buffalo Bills v Cleveland Browns
GettyMike Hall Jr. of the Cleveland Browns celebrates a sack during the first quarter of the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.
Advertisement
Mike Hall Jr. could also help the Browns replace some of Wright's production after getting a look at defensive end during Cleveland's 31-7 preseason loss to Buffalo.
Hall started on the edge and recorded a sack during his limited action. He has primarily played defensive tackle, but head coach Todd Monken believes Hall has the physical traits to line up outside.
"Mike Hall Jr. is an explosive player who loves playing football, and we're always trying to find ways to get our best four D-linemen on the field," Monken said . "That's part of why we looked at Mike on the edge. He's powerful, he can dip, he can get underneath tackles, and he's relentless."
Monken stopped short of describing Hall's move as permanent, pointing to his versatility along the defensive front.
Advertisement
"I don't think we would ever say that's full time," Monken said.
Cleveland has one preseason game remaining against the New England Patriots on Thursday before opening the regular season at the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 13. Starters are not expected to play against the Patriots in the preseason finale.
Like HEAVY's content? Be sure to follow us .
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post Browns DE Alex Wright Speaks Out After Season-Ending Injury appeared first on HEAVY .
