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Browns waive Dae'Quan Wright in a move college football has never seen before 1
August 23, 2026 Cleveland Browns, NFL
The Cleveland Browns are waiving tight end Dae’Quan Wright, and if he clears waivers he has an agreement in place to play for LSU this season, agents Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday. Wright is believed to be the first player who could appear for an NFL team and then go back to college football.
Wright went undrafted out of Ole Miss in April, signed with Philadelphia, was waived earlier this month and was claimed by Cleveland on Aug. 11. He dressed for Saturday’s 31-7 loss to Buffalo without taking a snap. He also entered the NCAA transfer portal on Thursday while still under an NFL contract, the first active NFL player to do so. Across four seasons at Virginia Tech and Ole Miss he caught 113 passes for 1,603 yards and nine touchdowns, and he was second-team All-SEC in 2025.
Dae'Quan Wright Virginia TechDae'Quan Wright Virginia Tech
Dae’Quan Wright was Virginia Tech’s leading receiver against North Carolina. Will he continue to see an increase in snaps? (USA TODAY Sports)
The opening came from a Louisiana state judge, who granted a temporary restraining order on Wednesday night covering 16 football players within a group of 33 athletes. The order bars the NCAA from ruling a player ineligible because he signed a professional contract, signed with an agent or played in a professional game, provided he terminates those deals and returns the money before playing in college.
Several other plaintiffs are sitting in similar positions. Former Oregon State running back Anthony Hankerson is on Seattle’s roster, former LSU pass rusher Jack Pyburn is with Tampa Bay, and former Ole Miss defender Wydett Williams is with Arizona. Former SMU running back TJ Harden entered the portal after the Seahawks cut him. NFL rosters have to reach 53 players by Aug. 30.
Todd Monken was asked about the situation after Saturday’s game. “Man, ain’t this s— crazy? I mean I don’t even know what to say,” he said, adding that Wright had been dealing with a medical issue that kept him from practicing.
History: the Browns are waiving tight end Dae’Quan Wright and, if he clears waivers, he has an agreement in place for the 2026 season to play for LSU, per agents Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln.
Wright is believed to be the first player who could play for an NFL team, and then… pic.twitter.com/3MLKNFYInY
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 23, 2026
What still stands between Dae’Quan Wright and LSU?
Ole Miss and LSU are both SEC schools, and the conference bars intraconference transfers outside the regular window that follows a sport’s championship segment. Greg Sankey told league schools this month to coordinate with compliance and conference staff before acting on any player whose eligibility arrived through a courtroom, and said the SEC’s rules stay in force until they are waived or changed.
Oct 12, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jardin Gilbert (2) blocks a pass intended for Mississippi Rebels tight end Dae'Quan Wright (8) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesOct 12, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jardin Gilbert (2) blocks a pass intended for Mississippi Rebels tight end Dae'Quan Wright (8) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Oct 12, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jardin Gilbert (2) blocks a pass intended for Mississippi Rebels tight end Dae’Quan Wright (8) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Wright played his last two college seasons for Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss. Kiffin left for LSU in December, and the Tigers visit Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Sept. 19.
Cleveland’s part of this ends when Wright clears waivers, most likely within a day. The SEC’s answer decides whether he plays anywhere this fall.
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