The Washington Commanders aren’t wasting any time trying to fill a key void in their secondary.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Commanders are hosting free-agent safety Darnell Savage on Monday for a visit.
Safety Will Harris is expected to be out indefinitely with a fractured fibula suffered in Sunday’s 41-24 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Savage, a 2019 first-round pick out of Maryland, was surprisingly released by the Jaguars last week after failing to earn a starting role out of training camp.
Why is Darnell Savage a Free Agent?
Savage, 28, spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers before signing a three-year, $21.75 million deal ($12.5 million guaranteed) with the Jaguars in March 2024.
After an uninspiring first season in Jacksonville, in which he had just one interception in 13 games, Savage struggled in training camp. Even with $2.25 million in guaranteed base salary, Savage fell all the way to third on the Jaguars’ depth chart at safety.
Rotating with Antonio Johnson and sixth-round rookie Rayuan Lane III, Savage played 48 snaps in the Jaguars’ first two games and had one tackle.
Why Are the Commanders Interested?
Harris, 29, was set to undergo additional tests to determine the severity of his injury. While the Commanders have yet to make any official declarations, NFL’s Network’s Ian Rapoport said Harris is expected to be out for the “foreseeable future.”
Harris, who signed a two-year, $8 million free agent deal in March, had 11 tackles and one forced fumble in three games with Washington.
Safety Percy Butler (hip) and cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore (concussion) and Trey Amos (calf) also left Sunday’s game with injuries, but the Commanders have yet to update their statuses.
Savage is a seasoned veteran with 354 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries over seven NFL seasons. While his play noticeably declined in Jacksonville, he’s experienced at both safety spots and could help in a pinch.
The No. 21 overall pick of the 2021 draft, he began his career in Green Bay working with current Commanders defensive passing game coordinator Jason Simmons.
The Commanders (2-1) visit the Atlanta Falcons (1-2) in Week 4.
Commanders Host Former First Round Pick DB With Local Ties for Workout