Sources: Browns lose DE Wright (Achilles) for season, add Barnett - ESPN

BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns starting defensive lineman Alex Wright ruptured his Achilles in Thursday's joint practice with the Buffalo Bills, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Sunday.

The Browns are placing Wright on season-ending injured reserve and are signing veteran pass rusher Derek Barnett in the wake of the injury, sources said. Barnett's deal is a one-year contract worth up to $5.5 million, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Wright injured his leg while attempting to execute a pass rush against Bills offensive tackle Spencer Brown in a 1-on-1 drill. He later left practice on a cart.

Wright, 25, recorded a career-high 5.5 sacks last season and signed a three-year, $33 million contract extension last November. The Browns were looking at Wright to step up, opposite two-time Pro Bowler Jared Verse, in the aftermath of the blockbuster offseason trade that sent Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams.

Barnett, 30, most recently played with the Houston Texans last season, recording five sacks.

Cleveland was already scouring the edge rusher market before Wright's injury. The Browns hosted Jadeveon Clowney and Za'Darius Smith on visits in recent weeks, but the veteran pass rushers opted to sign with the Texans and Atlanta Falcons, respectively.

Fourth-year player Isaiah McGuire is expected to start opposite Verse with Wright sidelined. A fourth-year player, McGuire has 5.5 career sacks in three seasons, including two sacks in 2025. In Cleveland's preseason loss to the Bills on Saturday, fourth-year defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. started at defensive end, recording a sack.

Barnett had 12.5 sacks in three seasons in Houston and in 2024 he scored two touchdowns on fumble recoveries.

A first-round pick by the Eagles in