It didn’t take long for the Cleveland Browns’ anticipated joint practice with the Buffalo Bills to take a concerning turn.
Starting edge rusher Alex Wright was carted off the practice field on Thursday with an apparent injury to his left leg. The severity of the injury was not immediately known as practice was still ongoing, but per Browns reporter Dan Labbe of Cleveland.com, Wright had to be helped onto the cart.
The Browns’ training camp roster has been decimated by injuries, especially at defensive tackle, cornerback, and tight end.
The defensive end group had avoided the injury bug prior to Thursday’s practice, and the Browns and their fans can only hope Wright’s situation is nothing more than a scare. The team’s depth at that position was already a major concern with the start of the regular season now less than a month away.
Isaiah McGuire could be the next man up if Alex Wright is forced to miss time
If Wright is forced to miss time, the Browns do have the luxury of having two high-end players at the position in Jared Verse and Isaiah McGuire. Both of those players have looked good this summer. McGuire was already poised for a potential breakout season entering the final year of his rookie contract.
The Browns have been trying to add veteran depth at that position, highlighted by their recent pursuit of both Jadeveon Clowney and Za’Darius Smith. Those efforts could be heightened now, as Wright was poised to be a major piece on Mike Rutenberg’s defense. The Browns just signed the 25-year-old to a three-year, $33 million contract extension in 2025.
In the meantime, McGuire will be the next man up with undrafted rookies Logan Fano and Khordae Sydnor likely seeing a major uptick in opportunities over the Browns' final two preseason games behind Verse, McGuire, and veteran Julian Okwara. Cleveland has another UDFA option on the roster in Tyreak Sapp, though he has been mixing in with the defensive tackles throughout camp due to that group being depleted by injuries. Sapp also missed Thursday's joint practice due to an undisclosed injury.
General manager Andrew Berry has already been scrambling at tight end with rookie Joe Royer (personal) away from the team and veterans Brenden Bates and Jack Stoll both landing on season-ending injured reserve.
His work on the fringes of the roster is far from finished. Depending on the severity of Wright’s injury, the Browns could be looking to sign one of these veteran pass rushers in short order.
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