Green Bay, Wis. — Sept. 19, 2025. The Green Bay Packers 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 in Green Bay before departing in 2024. He opened last season with Jacksonville and logged starter snaps in the secondary and on special teams before his release earlier this week. A return to Green Bay offers scheme familiarity and a short onboarding curve inside a safety room that has been reshaped over the past two seasons.

"THE JAGUARS GAVE UP ON ME, BUT THE CHIEFS SAW MY VALUE RIGHT AWAY — GREEN BAY WILL ALWAYS FEEL LIKE HOME AND THE GREEN AND GOLD WILL ALWAYS MEAN SOMETHING TO ME, BUT TODAY I’M HERE TO WEAR THE RED AND GOLD, EARN TRUST IN THIS LOCKER ROOM, AND HELP THIS TEAM WIN — EVEN IF IT STARTS ON THE PRACTICE SQUAD." Savage said in a brief statement.

For the Packers, a practice-squad agreement provides cost-controlled depth and flexibility. Under standard rules, a veteran on the practice squad can be elevated to the active roster for game day without immediately requiring a full 53-man contract, giving Green Bay a week-to-week option as injuries and matchups evolve. If Savage shows well in practice, a promotion to the 53 is a straightforward next step; if not, the team maintains roster and cap agility.

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