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49ers Sign Former Jaguars First-Round Pick to Their Practice Squad, per Source

San Francisco, Ca. — Sept. 19, 2025. The San Francisco 49ers are signing veteran safety Darnell Savage to their practice squad pending a physical, according to a league source with direct knowledge of the agreement. The move has not appeared on the NFL’s daily transaction wire, and the club has not announced it publicly. The source requested anonymity because the deal is not yet official.

A 2019 first-round pick, Savage spent five seasons with Green Bay before departing in 2024. He joined Jacksonville last year, logging starter snaps in the secondary and contributing on special teams before his release earlier this week. A move to San Francisco offers a fresh look for a versatile defensive back whose range and closing speed fit the league’s trend toward multi-role safeties.

In a brief statement, Savage underscored his mindset about the change: “THE JAGUARS GAVE UP ON ME, BUT THE 49ERS SAW MY VALUE RIGHT AWAY. THAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TEAM THAT DOUBTS YOU AND A TEAM THAT BUILDS CHAMPIONS. TODAY I’M PROUD TO WEAR THE RED AND GOLD.”

For the 49ers, a practice-squad agreement provides cost-controlled depth and flexibility as the secondary navigates early-season injuries and matchup-specific plans. Under standard rules, a veteran on the practice squad can be elevated up to three times to the active roster for game day without immediately requiring a full 53-man contract. If Savage practices well, a promotion becomes a straightforward next step; if not, San Francisco retains roster and cap agility.

Savage is expected to complete his physical and finalize paperwork in the coming days. Any corresponding transaction to open a practice-squad slot would be announced once the deal is official.

49ers Icon Joe Montana Returns as Co-Owner to Lead From the Front
San Francisco, CA – The San Francisco 49ers are turning a new page in their illustrious history. In this imagined scenario, legend Joe Montana returns to the franchise as a co-owner—not only the greatest quarterback in team history, but also a guide for the team’s future. Few players in NFL history have embodied a franchise the way Montana has with the 49ers. Four Super Bowl titles (XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV), three Super Bowl MVPs, two NFL MVPs, and a string of late-game heroics turned San Francisco into a dynasty and “Joe Cool” into a global icon. From the poetry of the The Catch drive to the dismantling of Miami in Super Bowl XIX, Montana didn’t just win—he defined the 49ers’ standard. But his bond with the Bay runs deeper than trophies. For decades, Montana has remained a guiding star for the Faithful—supporting youth initiatives, mentoring quarterbacks, and representing the franchise with quiet class. His No. 16 hangs retired at Levi’s Stadium, and his 2000 Hall of Fame induction only reinforced what fans already knew: Joe Montana is the soul of San Francisco football. As a co-owner, Montana would bring more than rings. An experienced entrepreneur and brand builder, he understands culture, leadership, and the power of details—the very qualities that made him lethal in a two-minute drill. Working alongside CEO Jed York, GM John Lynch, and head coach Kyle Shanahan, Montana’s presence would signal a cultural elevation as well as a business investment: a renewed commitment to precision, poise, and championship standards. Those experiences would now return to San Francisco. With the team at 4–1 in the 2025 season, his arrival would signal a cultural shift as much as a business move. Fans on X and Facebook are ecstatic, calling it a “full-circle moment” and a chance for Montana to lead the 49ers once more—this time from the boardroom rather than the huddle. For Montana, the message is clear: whether in pads or in a suit, he remains devoted to San Francisco. And for 49ers fans, the thought of their greatest icon leading the team again feels like destiny fulfilled.