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

Kansas City, Mo. — Sept. 23, 2025. The Kansas City Chiefs 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 Kansas City 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 CHIEFS 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 Chiefs, 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, Kansas City 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.

 
 

Chiefs Elevate WR Hidden Gem to Active Roster After Raiders Offer to Steal Him
Kansas City, MO – 2025 The Las Vegas Raiders’ hunt for immediate wide receiver help nearly landed them a young pass-catcher from inside the division. But the Kansas City Chiefs weren’t about to let him get away.     According to multiple reports, the Raiders moved to sign Jimmy Holiday off Kansas City’s practice squad, which—under NFL rules—would have placed him directly on Las Vegas’ 53-man roster if he accepted. Instead, the Chiefs acted decisively on Tuesday, elevating Holiday to their own active roster. The promotion protects the 23-year-old for at least three weeks and gives him a full roster spot as Kansas City hits the heart of its schedule.     Holiday’s path to Arrowhead hasn’t been linear. The undrafted rookie out of Louisiana Tech flashed in August as a gunner on special teams and a chain-mover in late-preseason reps. He didn’t survive final cuts on Aug. 27, then cleared waivers and chose to remain with the Chiefs’ practice squad two days later—betting on the coaching staff and the opportunity to grow behind a top-heavy receiver room. He’s worn No. 82 in Kansas City.         With the Raiders circling, the Chiefs made the call to keep their hidden gem in-house. For Holiday, it’s a chance to prove he belongs on Sundays—likely starting on teams and in select offensive packages. For Kansas City, it’s about protecting an asset and denying an AFC West rival a plug-and-play depth piece at a moment of need. The current WR depth chart features Hollywood Brown, Jason Brownlee, Tyquan Thornton, and Xavier Worthy, with Holiday now competing for snaps behind them. If Holiday converts his special-teams value into early offensive contributions, the Chiefs may have uncovered another developmental wideout who can help now while growing into a larger role down the line.