The Cleveland Browns are waiving tight end Dae'Quan Wright, who has an agreement to play for LSU in the 2026 season if he clears waivers, agents told ESPN. Wright is believed to be the first player to return to college football after signing with an NFL team as an undrafted free agent. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles after the draft and was claimed by the Browns on waivers on August 11.

Wright did not appear in the Browns' first two preseason games and has not practiced in over a week due to injury, though he dressed for the second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. On Wednesday, Wright entered the transfer portal after he and a group of athletes were granted a temporary restraining order to return to college for one more season following a lawsuit filed in Philadelphia. The lawsuit challenges the NCAA's new eligibility rule, which grants five years of eligibility but does not take effect until next season.

A stay from the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a federal judge's decision that would have allowed athletes who started college in 2022-23 to return for a fifth season, but it does not affect cases like Wright's that were granted restraining orders in state courts. Wright played for Ole Miss in 2024 and 2025, recording 39 receptions for 635 yards and five touchdowns last season. He graduated high school in 2022 and his college eligibility ended after the 2025 season.