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

Cleveland Browns placed defensive end Alex Wright on injured reserve due to a season-ending Achilles tendon injury sustained during a joint practice against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday. Wright, who had a career-high 5 1/2 sacks last season, was carted off after a 1-on-1 drill against Bills offensive tackle Spencer Brown. The Browns are counting on Wright to fill the void left by superstar Myles Garrett, who was traded to the Los Angeles Rams.

Wright, a third-round pick in 2022, is in his fifth season and signed a three-year, $33 million contract last November.

To replace Wright, the Browns signed 10-year veteran Derek Barnett. Barnett, who played six seasons for Philadelphia and three for Houston, had 12 1/2 sacks. Cleveland is also considering Isaiah McGuire and Mike Hall Jr. as potential starters opposite Jared Verse.