BROWNS WAIVE WRIGHT AFTER NFLNCAA RULE CHANGE

The Cleveland Browns are waiving tight end Dae'Quan Wright, who has agreed to play for Louisiana State University in 2025, according to ESPN. Wright's move would make him the first player to sign with an NFL team and subsequently return to college football. Wright signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles before being waived and picked up by Cleveland, where his tenure has now ended.

Wright's path back to college became possible following a preliminary injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney on 31 July. The injunction granted athletes from the secondary school class of 2022 an additional year of college eligibility. Two days later, Sweeney clarified that the ruling did not eliminate other NCAA restrictions, including transfer limits and roster caps. However, the judge's decision did not reinstate the long-standing rule barring athletes who had signed professional contracts from returning to college, creating the opening Wright and others have pursued. Wright previously played two seasons at Virginia Tech and two at Ole Miss under coach Lane Kiffin, who is now at LSU.

The development reflects wider instability in college sports eligibility rules. The NCAA has faced repeated court defeats on player eligibility restrictions, eroding the rulebook that governed the sport for over a century. Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken characterised the situation as "crazy". Wright's reported agreement includes a name, image and likeness (NIL) arrangement with LSU, and his move could represent the first of multiple players attempting similar transitions from professional to college football.