Cleveland Browns Tight End Dae’Quan Wright Enters Transfer Portal Before Bills Game

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Todd Monken and the Cleveland Browns are working through the final stretch of training camp as they prepare to open the 2026 season against the Buffalo Bills. Roster decisions are becoming more urgent by the day, with cuts looming and Monken’s coaching staff working to finalize who makes the trip north for Week 1.

Among the players in the mix is Dea’Quan Wright, a tight end who signed with Cleveland after beginning camp with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent. That situation has now become more complicated.

A Louisiana judge issued a ruling on Aug. 19 that could reshape eligibility rules across college football, temporarily blocking the NCAA from enforcing them against 30 athletes who were freshmen during the 2022-23 academic year.

The order, obtained by the Clarion Ledger, grants those players an additional season of eligibility, opening the door for some of them to return to the college game. Wright is one of them.

The former Ole Miss tight end entered the transfer portal after becoming eligible to return on Aug. 19, and according to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, he is the first active NFL player to do so. If Monken and Cleveland’s front office release him by Sept. 1, Wright would be allowed to join a college roster under the current restraining order.

Wright totaled 113 receptions for 1,603 yards across stops at Virginia Tech and Ole Miss, including 1,029 yards over his final two seasons with the Rebels, where he served as quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’ top target at tight end in 2025.

He is not alone in this move. ESPN’s Max Olson reported Thursday that former SMU running back TJ Harden, former BYU offensive lineman Weylin Lapuaho, former Ole Miss defensive lineman Zxavian Harris, former James Madison linebacker Trent Hendrick, former Appalachian State cornerback Ethan Johnson and former New Mexico kicker Luke Drzewiecki are also entering the portal.

Related: 2026 NFL Preseason Week 2 Full Schedule: Matchups, Kickoff Times, How to Watch

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos