The Cleveland Browns suffered another significant blow to their defensive line leading up to the start of the 2026 season, as starting defensive end Alex Wright has been placed the injured reserve list with an Achilles injury, accordion to to a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Wright was carted off the field during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, and he was later diagnosed with a ruptured Achilles.
Wright, 25, was the Browns' third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft , and became a starter for the first time last season, when he set a career high with 5.5 sacks, playing opposite of All-Pro Myles Garrett.
Cleveland had already been looking for additional help at edge rusher, after trading Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Verse and three draft picks. The Browns brought in former players Za'Darius Smith and Jadeveon Clowney for free-agent visits, but both veterans ended up signing elsewhere.
With Wright moving to the IR, Browns general manager Andrew Berry finally added some edge rushing help on Sunday, signing veteran Derek Barnett .
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) scrambles from Houston Texans defensive end Derek Barnett (95) during the first half of an AFC Wild Card Round game at Acrisure Stadium on Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA. — Barry Reeger / Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Barnett, 30, spent the last two-plus seasons as a reserve with the Houston Texans , appearing in 39 games since being claimed off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles mid-season in 2023. He made just five starters with the Texans in that time, mostly rotating behind starters Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson .
Clowney ended up signing in Houston after spurning the Browns, taking over Barnett's former role as the team's third edge rusher. Barnett has been a free agent since his contract with the Texans expired in March.
Behind Verse and Barnett, the Browns also have former fourth-round pick Isaiah McGuire , who started eight games last season and recorded two sacks, and former practice squad member Julian Okwara .
The Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Browns early in their 2026 schedule , with a Week 4 visit to Huntington Bank Field for a Thursday Night Football contest. The Browns will come to Pittsburgh in Week 8 on Oct. 1.
The post Browns Place Starting Edge Rusher on IR, Sign Veteran Replacement appeared first on Steelers Now .
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