BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns starting defensive end Alex Wright sustained a ruptured Achilles in Thursday's joint practice with the Buffalo Bills, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Sunday.
The Browns placed Wright on season-ending injured reserve and signed veteran pass rusher Derek Barnett, the team announced Sunday. Barnett's deal is a one-year contract worth up to $5.5 million, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Wright sustained the injury while attempting to execute a pass rush against Bills offensive tackle Spencer Brown in a one-on-one drill. He later left practice on a cart.
Browns defensive end Alex Wright suffered a season-ending ruptured Achilles in a joint practice with the Bills on Thursday. AP Photo/David Richard Wright, 25, recorded a career-high 5.5 sacks last season and signed a three-year, $33 million contract extension in 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, 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.