The Cleveland Browns are waiving rookie tight end Dae’Quan Wright, clearing the way for him to make an unprecedented return to college football.
Wright has an agreement in place to play for LSU this season if he clears NFL waivers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“There are a handful of players currently in training camp, or players who have already been cut and were on camp rosters, who are currently in the transfer portal. Dae’Quan Wright now is the first to fully commit to a college team again,” Schefter said.
The move ends Wright’s unusual stay with the Browns. Cleveland claimed him off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles on August 11 after he went undrafted out of Ole Miss.
Wright entered the NCAA transfer portal on Thursday while still under contract with Cleveland. He dressed for Saturday’s 31-7 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills but did not play.
If another NFL team claims Wright, it would interrupt his planned return to college. That is not expected. If he clears, he will join former Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin at LSU.
Todd Monken Was Unclear on Wright’s Plan
GettyTodd Monken of the Cleveland Browns throws the red flag to challenge a play during the preseason.
Browns head coach Todd Monken was seemingly caught off guard when asked about Wright’s situation following the loss to Buffalo.
“Man, isn’t this [expletive] crazy?” Monken said. “I don’t even know what to say. As far as I know, he’s had a medical issue that wasn’t allowing him to practice. That’s a medical issue. It has nothing to do with me. He was cleared, so we dressed him just in case we had to have him.”
Monken also revealed that Kiffin had attempted to contact him before Wright entered the portal.
“I wondered why Lane Kiffin reached out to me a week ago, now I know,” Monken said. “I didn’t call him back; I guess I should have.”
Kiffin coached Wright during his final two seasons at Ole Miss before taking over at LSU. Players returning to school must terminate their professional contracts and repay money received, according to ESPN.
Browns Finalizing 53-Man Roster
Wright is now out of the picture, leaving the Browns with one less unusual situation to navigate as they trim their roster to 53 players.
The remaining roster hopefuls will get one final audition Thursday against the New England Patriots. Head coach Todd Monken said Cleveland’s starters will not play in the preseason finale, a group that includes Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson.
“At this point, being Sunday, there are still roster spots to be had, and there’s still a lot to play for,” Monken said. “Whenever you take the field in a Browns uniform, there’s the expectation of the name on the back of the jersey and the helmet, and what that stands for.”
Monken said he is excited to get another look at sixth-round rookie Taylen Green. Dillon Gabriel will open the game under center.
The Browns also plan to resolve their most significant remaining question. Monken said he expects to name his starting quarterback Monday after evaluating the full body of work from Watson and Sanders.
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