Darnell

Savage

Savage suffered a concussion in the Jaguars’ Week 16 game against the Raiders and missed Week 17 as a result of his injury. With one game left in the season, the veteran safety is expected to suit up to close things out against the Colts, who are unlikely to have Anthony Richardson in Week 18. Savage has totaled 42 tackles, one interception and six pass breakups this season while earning a PFF defensive grade of 47.3.

No surprises for the Jaguars’ Week 17 inactives. Savage will miss this game due to a concussion. Meanwhile, Walker Little (ankle) is another significant inactive as he misses his first game of the season, leaving the left tackle position in lurch for the Jaguars in a battle of higher draft picks against the Titans.

Hines-Allen left Week 4 with a concussion and did not return. He missed Wednesday’s practice but got in a pair of limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. JHA still has to clear the league’s concussion protocol over the weekend, but the questionable tag at least gives him a shot at doing so. He has one sack and one TFL through four games this year. The Jags also listed safety Darnell Savage and linebacker Devin Lloyd as questionable.

The Jaguars lead the league in man coverage rate and are now without linebacker Foye Oluokun, cornerback Tyson Campbell, and now safety Darnell Savage for a game against the high-flying Texans. Jacksonville could be forced to keep pace in a shootout on the road in Houston in Week 4.

The Jaguars’ secondary took two notable hits this week, with Savage suffering a quad injury in practice and CB Tyson Campbell landing on injured reserve. The developments give the Browns’ flailing passing game a chance to keep pace, though little is guaranteed in that regard.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said that the “chances are probably not” that Savage would be able to suit up for this week’s game. The veteran practiced in full on Wednesday but then missed practice on Thursday, which raised concerns. With cornerback Tyson Campbell also out, the Jaguars will be down two starters when they take on the Browns this weekend which could give an extra boost to Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy if the Browns can get their offense on track.

Drafted in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Savage played out his rookie deal and had his fifth-year option picked up by the Packers. Injuries limited Savage to 10 games in his final season in Green Bay. He totaled 51 tackles and one pass breakup. Though the injury put a damper on his last season as a Packer, it didn’t have an effect on his market in free agency. Savage will slot in as the Jags’ starting free safety for the 2024 season. He will look to improve a unit that ranked 26th in passing yards allowed in 2023.

Alexander missed last week’s game against the Giants but should have a chance to play in Week 15 after being a limited participant in practice all week. The Packers are dealing with a number of injuries on the defensive side of the ball as safety Darnell Savage (shoulder) and linebacker Quay Walker (shoulder) are both listed as questionable as well. Savage didn’t log a practice all week, while Walker was a limited participant on both Thursday and Friday.

Savage hasn’t played since Week 7 when he suffered a calf strain that would keep him out for the following five games. He’s an integral piece to defensive coordinator Joe Barry’s zone-heavy defense, making his return a solid development as the Packers continue their late-season push for one of the final playoff spots out of the NFC.

The Packers opened the 21-day window for Savage, who will begin practicing this week. The veteran safety can be activated from injured reserve as early as Thursday for Week 12’s matchup against the Lions, but the Packers may opt to give him at least one more full week of recovery. Savage has managed 34 tackles and one TFL in six games this season and will be re-joining a Packers defense that’s ranked in the top half of the league in pass coverage grades per PFF.