TE Dae’Quan Wright will not return to the Browns, NFL this year as league puts its foot down

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 22: Dae'Quan Wright #88 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field on August 22, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

While many predicted chaos as NIL and more money (legally now) entered college football, no one could have predicted the wild turns surrounding a tight end fighting for a backup or practice squad spot on an NFL roster. Yet, here we are with former Cleveland Browns TE Dae'Quan Wright, as well as DT Zxavian Harris.

A quick catch-up for everyone who hasn't been following the story:

• The Cleveland Browns added Wright in mid-August after the Philadelphia Eagles waived him
• Wright was mostly away from the Browns for the first week he was on the roster, then came news that he was part of a lawsuit attempting to return to college
• Cleveland then waived Wright, which opened up his chance to return to college
• Given his plan to return to school, no other NFL team claimed Wright
• Lawsuits went back and forth, including the SEC making it a rule that schools would face punishment if they rostered players who had declared for and/or signed a professional contract. Another lawsuit said that wasn't acceptable. Then most of us got lost in the legalese of it all
• Wright and Zxavian Harris were not placed on LSU's roster for their game against Clemson, despite reportedly enrolling and practicing
• LSU officially filled their roster, leaving no chance for Wright and Harris to play for them this year

At the end of the last linked piece in the list above, we asked Browns fans whether they would want Wright back, likely on the practice squad, now that he wasn't going to be playing for LSU. As preparations began for Week 2 of the NFL season, the league made it very clear to teams that Wright and Harris were not welcome this season:

Today's full NFL memo, clarifying that Zxavian Harris and Dae'Quan Wright are barred from visiting, trying out with or being signed by NFL clubs during the 2026 NFL season. https://t.co/mhYoCGBd9Tpic.twitter.com/TikNSW1nus

- Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 16, 2026

Likely, the NFL is setting a precedent to make sure players do not attempt to circumvent the NFL draft and other player acquisition processes and mechanisms. The league also doesn't like players controlling their own destiny in ways that are different than the ones the NFL sets.

Given that Wright and Harris have gone through a number of legal battles already, it is likely this action by the league could create another. Then again, even if a court overturns the NFL's ruling, will a team go against the league's wishes and sign a backup, practice squad player?

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