Darnell Savage Lands in Buffalo After Brief Stint with Washington
Darnell Savage is on the move again. Just days after requesting his release from the Washington Commanders, the veteran safety has found a new home-this time with the Buffalo Bills, who claimed him off waivers on Friday.
It’s been a whirlwind season for Savage, who’s bounced between three teams in less than three months. Washington brought him in back on September 22, shortly after the Jacksonville Jaguars let him go. The Commanders were looking for depth after Will Harris went down with a fractured fibula, and Savage, a Delaware native and former Maryland standout, was available.
In his eight games with Washington, Savage logged 15 tackles, broke up one pass, and forced a fumble. He wasn’t a full-time starter, but he did see meaningful action.
His most active game came in Week 7 against Dallas, where he played 69% of the defensive snaps in what turned into a lopsided loss. He also saw significant time in Week 11 during Washington’s international matchup against the Dolphins in Madrid, getting on the field for 46% of the snaps.
But when Harris returned to the lineup last week against Denver, Savage was the odd man out. He didn’t play a snap, and just days later, Washington made the move official-releasing him on Thursday and activating defensive end Drake Jackson from injured reserve.
The Commanders’ safety room is now set with Harris and rookie Quan Martin as the starters, while Jeremy Reaves fills the third spot in the rotation. Special teams aces Percy Butler and Tyler Owens round out the depth chart.
For Savage, this latest stop in Buffalo could offer a fresh opportunity. A former first-round pick by the Packers, he signed a three-year deal with Jacksonville in 2024 but only suited up for two games before being cut. Now, with the Bills dealing with their own injuries and depth concerns on the back end, there’s a chance for Savage to carve out a role-whether on defense, special teams, or both.
At just 26 years old, Savage still has the athleticism and experience to contribute. The question now is whether Buffalo is the place where he can finally reestablish himself.