CLE Dae'Quan Wright
NFL tight end. Position: TE. Status: Ineligible for 2026 NFL season.
Quick Facts
- Position: TE
- Team: Cleveland Browns (released Aug 2026)
- College: Ole Miss / LSU (reuniting with HC Lane Kiffin)
2026 Outlook
Dae'Quan Wright was released by the Cleveland Browns in 2026 and immediately pursued a return to college football at LSU, where he would reunite with head coach Lane Kiffin (his former Ole Miss coach). Wright received a temporary restraining order allowing him to return to college and earn an additional year of eligibility. However, the NFL issued a memo clarifying that any player who returns to college for the 2026 season will be prohibited from signing with an NFL team that year and will lose draft eligibility. Additionally, the SEC and Big Ten conferences enacted new pro-participation ineligibility rules that may block Wright from competing in college athletics. His 2026 fantasy relevance hinges entirely on whether he remains in the NFL or successfully returns to LSU (per NFL warns clubs they cannot sign any player who returns to college for 2026).
September 5 court ruling—LSU excludes from Week 1 roster: A federal judge ruled in favor of Wright and Harris against the SEC, clearing them to play college football at LSU in 2026. However, despite the court victory, LSU cautiously decided to leave both players OFF its Week 1 roster against Clemson rather than risk SEC retaliation or further legal battles. Both players remain enrolled at LSU and can be added to the roster at any point during the season, leaving the door open for future activation. The decision signals LSU/Lane Kiffin's preference for de-escalation with the SEC despite their legal right to play (per LSU leaves former NFL players Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris off Week 1 roster despite court ruling in Tigers' favor).
September 9 status—multiple NFL teams interested: Agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed on The Pat McAfee Show that multiple NFL teams are interested in signing Wright, but the NFL league office has not yet cleared him for a return, leaving his future in limbo (per Agent says Dae'Quan Wright in football purgatory as NFL decides what's next after LSU).
September 16 ruling—declared ineligible for 2026: The NFL issued a memo declaring Wright ineligible to visit, try out for, or sign with any NFL team during the 2026 season. Wright's agent indicated the player will explore legal options. The NFLPA also promised to represent Wright in challenging the ruling. This effectively ends any fantasy relevance for the 2026 season, with next opportunity coming in 2027 (per NFL declares Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, who were at center of LSU...).
Role / Depth Chart
Depth/reserve tight end for Cleveland Browns (prior to release). Seeking college eligibility at LSU.
Injury Status
No injuries reported.
Recent News
- 2026-10-14 — NFL news, live updates: Lamar Jackson has 'real chance' to return Week 6 (NFL news, live updates: Lamar Jackson has 'real chance' to return Week 6) — NFL clarifies Zxavian Harris is eligible free agent; Wright's status unclear
- 2026-09-17 — NFL reminds teams Harris, Wright ineligible to sign in 2026 (NFL reminds teams Harris, Wright ineligible to sign in 2026)
- 2026-09-16 — NFL declares Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, who were at center of LSU... (NFL declares Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, who were at center of LSU...)
- 2026-09-09 — Agent says Dae'Quan Wright in football purgatory as NFL decides what's next after LSU... (Agent says Dae'Quan Wright in football purgatory as NFL decides what's next after LSU...)
- 2026-09-09 — LSU roster finalized: Lane Kiffin doesn't add ex-NFL players Dae'Quan Wright, Zxavian... (LSU roster finalized: Lane Kiffin doesn't add ex-NFL players Dae'Quan Wright, Zxavian...)
- 2026-09-09 — LSU adds 2 players to lock roster; former NFL players Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian... (LSU adds 2 players to lock roster; former NFL players Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian...)
- 2026-09-05 — LSU leaves former NFL players Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris off Week 1 roster... (LSU leaves former NFL players Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris off Week 1 roster...)
- 2026-09-05 — LSU leaves Wright, Harris off roster for opener vs. Clemson (LSU leaves Wright, Harris off roster for opener vs. Clemson)
- 2026-09-05 — LSU excludes ex-NFL players Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris from roster amid... (LSU excludes ex-NFL players Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris from roster amid...)
- 2026-08-27 — Released by Browns; attempting to sign with LSU under Lane Kiffin (NFL warns clubs they cannot sign any player who returns to college for 2026)
- 2026-08-27 — NFL memo warns he cannot return to NFL if he goes to college for 2026 season (NFL warns clubs they cannot sign any player who returns to college for 2026)
Open Questions
- Will Wright successfully challenge the SEC/Big Ten pro-participation ineligibility rules?
- If he remains in NFL, which team will sign him?