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

Philadelphia, Pa. — Sept. 19, 2025.
The Philadelphia Eagles 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 Philadelphia 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 EAGLES 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 MIDNIGHT GREEN.”

For the Eagles, 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, Philadelphia 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.

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Eagles Receive "Huge" Positive Injury Update On Standout LB Nakobe Dean Ahead Of Week 6 vs. Giants
Philadelphia, PA — Ahead of Thursday night’s Week 6 trip to face the New York Giants, the Philadelphia Eagles got a huge boost: linebacker Nakobe Dean is expected to make his 2025 season debut with a managed snap count. It marks a significant step after he missed the first five weeks while recovering from a torn patellar tendon suffered in January that landed him on the PUP list. Dean’s return targets a clear pain point for the defense. Through five games, the Eagles rank 22nd against the run and have just seven sacks—one of the lowest totals in the league. In 2024, the former third-round pick posted an 82.5 pass-rush grade and an 80.4 run-defense grade (per Pro Football Focus), bringing second-level speed, cleaner run fits, and another source of pressure to collapse pockets from depth. Operationally, the Eagles are likely to use a pitch count for Dean: prioritize early downs against the run, short-yardage/red zone packages, and select green-dog blitzes when the running back stays in protection. His presence should also let the front seven vary stunts/twists, cut the quarterback’s time to throw, and lift the rate of tackles near the line of scrimmage. Realistically, returns from a patellar tendon tear require a week-to-week ramp-up. Expect situational impact more than a wholesale transformation in his first game back. Even so, simply having Dean available is a timely, high-leverage upgrade—a piece that can tighten the middle, stabilize the second level, and set the stage for the Eagles’ pass rush to find its edge again.