Injury Analysis: Buffalo Bills S Darnell Savage

After getting burned by Darius Slay not reporting after getting claimed off waivers and losing Ja’Marcus Ingram to the Houston Texans, the Buffalo Bills claimed S Darnell Savage. 

Savage comes to Buffalo after stops in Green Bay, Jacksonville, and Washington after he was a first round selection by the Packers in 2019. He parlayed his five years into a three-year contract with the Jaguars before getting released earlier this season. He signed with the Commanders shortly after his exit from Jacksonville before he asked for his release with the Commanders as they were out of playoff contention. 

Read below for Savage’s full injury history and analysis. 

Injury History

2019 Green Bay Packers

Wisdom teeth removal, Non-football illness, preseason. 

Savage missed the first five practices of training camp spending that time on the non-football injury list due to needing to get his wisdom teeth removed. 

Shin, Week 2, missed 0 games.

Savage was kicked in the shin during the Week 2 contest and left the locker room in a boot. Additional testing revealed no long term injury and he missed no additional time. 

High-Ankle sprain, Week 5, missed 2 games. 

Savage had his ankle rolled up on while trying to make a tackle during the first half of the game against the Dallas Cowboys. He was feared to suffer a major injury but only suffered a high-ankle sprain, missing two games. 

2020 Packers

Groin, Week 2, missed 0 games.

Savage appeared on the injury report in the final practice before Week 2, was questionable but did not miss any time. 

Quadricep, Week 6, missed 1 game.

Savage was forced to exit the Week 6 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and did not return. He was listed as doubtful and did not play in the next game. 

Groin, Week 13, missed 0 games. 

Savage was another late entry on the injury report with a groin designation for the Friday practice. He had a questionable designation but played through the injury. 

2021 Packers

Shoulder, Week 1, missed 0 games.

While trying to haul in an interception, Savage injured his shoulder late in the first half and was unable to return. 

Concussion, Week 6, missed 0 games. 

Savage suffered a concussion in the second half in the win over the Chicago Bears. He was able to quickly progress through the concussion protocol and miss no time. 

COVID, Week 18, missed 0 games.

Savage was briefly placed on the COVID/Reserve list in early January before being removed the next day. 

2022 Packers

Foot, Week 12, missed 1 game.

After getting benched prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Savage later entered the game and suffered a foot injury on a tackle. He was doubtful for the next game and did not play. 

2023 Packers

Calf, Week 5, went to IR, missed 5 games.

Savage originally injured his calf in Week 5 which forced him to exit the game early. The Packers had a well-timed bye and when he returned in Week 7, he re-injured his calf, sending him to injured reserve for five total games. 

Chest/Shoulder, Week 14, missed 2 games. 

Savage picked up a chest injury that morphed into a shoulder injury during this time frame. It was later revealed that he tore his rotator cuff in his shoulder which required offseason surgery. 

2024 Jacksonville Jaguars

Quadriceps, Week 2 practice, missed 3 games. 

Savage picked up a quadriceps injury in practice ahead of Week 2, was ruled out the next game and missed the following three games. 

Ankle, Week 13, missed 0 games.

Savage sustained an ankle injury in the third quarter against the Houston Texans and did not return. 

Concussion, Week 16, missed 1 game.

Savage suffered a concussion in the Week 16 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders and missed the following game. 

2025 Jacksonville Jaguars/Washington Commanders

No publicly reported injuries. 

Buffalo Bills Injury Analysis

Savage plays a very physical game and position which means that he’s going to pick up injuries from time to time. Over six seasons, he missed 15 games with nine of those games coming as a result of soft tissue injuries. Most of these soft tissue injuries appear to be isolated to that particular season and separated by several years if there is a repeat injury. The injuries are notable but not necessarily concerning long term. It’s important to note that he hasn’t appeared to be on the injury report this entire season between the two teams he’s played for which means nothing should be lingering. 

The concussions, rotator cuff surgery, and high-ankle sprains are noteworthy but are the result of playing lots of football, none of these could necessarily be prevented but also have minimal concerns moving forward. The concussions are important to note should he suffer another one and the rotator cuff if he appears on the injury report for several weeks. 

It’s worth noting that he didn’t have any injury concerns coming out of college in the 2019 NFL Draft according to Dane Brugler.

Overall, the volume of injuries can’t be ignored but nothing sticks out as a major concern right now. He was picked up on waivers and will be on the roster for five regular season games and potentially four postseason games. Considering the free agent contract coming from Washington and the short time frame he is here for, it works for the situation the Bills are dealing with.

He adds veteran and needed depth should Cole Bishop or Jordan Poyer go down. Should either become injured, they don’t have anyone behind them besides rookie Jordan Hancock. The Bills may potentially get Damar Hamlin back this season from his pectoral surgery but he is at least a month away and Taylor Rapp is done for the season. As a former first round selection, Savage still brings talent to the roster and depth. 

Should the Bills want to sign him in the offseason, this could be a great reclamation project especially with the coaching staff’s ability to develop secondary players. The Bills may be able to get him on a cheap prove-it deal after his stints with Jacksonville and Washington to compete in the preseason. Even if they wanted to sign him to a similar contract he got with Jacksonville in 2024, I wouldn’t be opposed considering the market, but his 2025 season should depress the demand for him and thus his value. 

There isn’t any downside to this waiver claim and could work out very well for the Bills as they make this December run. 

I would like to welcome Darnell Savage to Buffalo and that he remains healthy for the remainder of the season. 

Top Photo Credit: USA Today