Kevin Stefanski gives incredibly vague response on Alex Wright's injury
The Cleveland Browns have been dealing with some key injuries to their roster, but fans are wondering about one that could affect the pass rush moving forward.
Browns defensive end Alex Wright is dealing with a quad injury that's expected to keep him out of at least their first practice of Week 11, but might be longer. There are talks of Wright potentially joining the IR. The media asked Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski about whether Wright will be on IR, and didn't exactly give a straight answer.
"We'll see."
Wright has started in four of the nine games he has appeared in this season, and has shown himself to be one of the team's best pass rushers. He has racked up 24 tackles, a career-high nine tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, three sacks, and one forced fumble.
Not having Wright available to play would be a blow to a defense that has actually performed well this season, but has gotten zero support from the offense or special teams. Despite holding the New York Jets to 169 yards, sacking Justin Fields three times, and nabbing an interception, the Browns still managed to lose 27-20.
In terms of who would be the next man to step up in Wright's place at defensive end, Isaiah McGuire has gotten the five other starts at defensive end over Wright.
McGuire has not been as effective at getting to the quarterback, with only two quarterback hits and one sack in nine games. Cameron Thomas could see more playing time as he's gotten three quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks on the season.
Cleveland is going to need somebody to step up, as there is not as much optimism that Wright will play soon. While there is no word on when he will return, Stefanski is certainly giving the impression that Wright might miss at least one game due to the quad injury.
The good news is the Browns are relatively deep on defense and should be able to manage through these situations. It also helps that they have 16 quarterback hits and an NFL-leading 11 sacks from Myles Garrett.
As the team sits at 2-8, the Browns need somebody to step up and help them somehow pull off the miracle of winning seven games in a row to close the season and sneak into the postseason. If they want to make that run, it certainly looks like they might have to get it done without Wright playing in the rotation.
Broncos to Sign Former Packers Wide Receiver After Win over Eagles
Former Packers receiver Samari Toure has signed with the Broncos' practice squad.
Samori Toure was drafted in the seventh round in 2022 by the Packers but never became a big part of the team’s plans, registering just 13 catches in two seasons.
Now, he’ll look to start over once again.
Toure, 27, was signed Sunday to the Broncos’ practice squad — his third different team in three seasons.
He joins a deep receiver group in Denver, led by Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin.
Toure Was Among Bears’ Final Cuts
Toure was merely a bit player in Green Bay, catching 13 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown across 22 games (two starts). The former Nebraska product was cut in August 2024 but stayed in the NFC North, quickly latching onto the Bears’ practice squad.
The Bears signed Toure to a reserve/future contract last January. He stuck with Chicago through the summer and contributed in the preseason, catching five of his seven targets for 72 yards. Still, deciding he wasn’t in their future plans, the Bears waived him Aug. 24 as part of their final cuts.
Toure’s worked out for several teams since then, including the Giants, who are looking to upgrade their depth at receiver following a season-ending injury to Pro Bowler Malik Nabers.
Toure Joins Crowded Receiving Room in Denver
The writing was seemingly on the wall for Toure after the Bears devoted significant draft capital to receiver, selecting Missouri’s Luther Burden III in the second round (39th overall) to join a group that already included DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. Olamide Zaccheaus, Devin Duvernay and undrafted rookie Jahdae Walker round out the depth.
Head coach Ben Johnson, who had familiarity with Toure from his time with the division rival Lions, obviously did not see the fit and decided to move on from the 6-foot-1, 196-pound Toure just before the start of Week 1.
Now, he finds himself in Denver after working out for the team last month, hoping to prove himself again amid heavy competition at receiver. The Broncos, who on Sunday handed the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles their first loss of the season, already have three receivers on the practice squad in Michael Bandy, A.T. Perry and Thomas Thayer.
The Broncos had room for Toure after linebacker Garret Wallow was promoted to the active 53-man roster on Saturday.
It’s unclear what kind of role, if any, Toure will have as the 3-2 Broncos head to London to face the Jets in Week 6. Denver is scheduled to practice on Wednesday.
