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Steelers Sign Former Jaguars First-Round Pick To Their Practice Squad, Per Source

Darnell Savage Jr. on X: "💛💚" / X

Pittsburgh, Pa. — Sept. 20, 2025. The Pittsburgh Steelers 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 Pittsburgh offers a fresh opportunity 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 STEELERS SAW MY VALUE RIGHT AWAY. THAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TEAM THAT DOUBTS YOU AND A TEAM THAT BUILDS LEGENDS. TODAY I’M PROUD TO WEAR THE BLACK AND GOLD.”

For the Steelers, 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, Pittsburgh 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 Fan-Favourite WR Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is mourning a devastating personal loss following the team’s Week 5 matchup, as his cousin Justin Fuller, a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville. Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee.  (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey ) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.” Rice, who grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose, has long credited that example with shaping his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Rashee that strength isn’t being unbreakable — it’s standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how Rashee lives and plays today.” As a featured target in the Chiefs’ offense, Rice has earned complete trust for his short-to-intermediate separation, yards-after-catch power (YAC), and chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Coaches describe him as “calm, focused, and mature beyond his years,” a disciplined route-runner who finds tight windows in the red zone. Through Week 5 of the 2025 season, Rice has no registered game statistics as he serves a league-issued six-game suspension to start the regular season; major stat services list no 2025 game logs to date.  The Kansas City Chiefs have provided time and private support for Rice and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. The FAA is investigating the incident, while messages commemorating “Spidey” continue to spread nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. Rice kept his public remarks brief before leaving in the embrace of teammates:“Spidey always told me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”