ORCHARD PARK — Darnell Savage’s job is to impede people. He spent his first weekend with the Buffalo Bills trying to stay out of the way.
The Bills claimed the veteran safety off waivers from the Washington Commanders after cornerback Darius Slay Jr. informed the team he wouldn’t report. The Bills freed up a roster spot Friday by placing Slay on the reserve/did not report list.
Buffalo also lost cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram on waivers to the Houston Texans due to claiming Slay. So Savage was added and he arrived in Buffalo Saturday, ahead of the team’s 39-34 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
“I think it’s just a special place,” Savage said. “I really think people come here and they thrive. And they thrive because of the family atmosphere and a lot of people can be their self while they’re here.”
The Bills are Savage’s third team this season. Savage was a first-round choice of the Green Bay Packers in 2019, where he played five seasons and started 69 of 72 games with nine interceptions.
He signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024 and started 13 games. He lost his starting spot this year and was released after two games and signed with the Commanders, where he appeared in eight games without a start and requested his release.
“It’s been a long year,” Savage conceded. “… I feel like everything happens for a reason. I’m just trying to put my best foot forward and just continue to control all the things that I can control. That’s my attitude, that’s how I prepare, that’s how I play.”
How Savage fits into Buffalo’s plans moving forward is the next question. Savage has primarily played safety during his career, but also logged nearly 1,200 snaps as a slot cornerback during his career.
It’s unlikely to see Savage usurp Cole Bishop or Jordan Poyer at safety — and perhaps not rookie Jordan Hancock or veteran Cam Lewis, who have played extensively in dime packages on obvious passing downs since the bye week.
But coach Sean McDermott admitted the Bills have eyed Savage since he played at Maryland and again when entered free agency.
“You’re trying to see what you can add to help our football team,” McDermott said. “Learning is going to take some time. Maybe he plays some safety, maybe plays some nickel, maybe some special teams. Just take them one day at a time.”
As for Slay, McDermott declined to comment on his situation. McDermott was noticeably displeased with losing Ingram, who he viewed as a valuable depth player who could play outside, slot and special teams, although he was inactive for five of 12 games with the Bills this season.
The Bills hold Slay’s rights and they would have to release him in order for him to sign with another team.
“I’m not going to answer questions on Darius Slay,” McDermott said. “Respectfully, that’s a question for (general manager Brandon Beane). I’m focused on our current team and this game this week.”
NOTES: TE Dawson Knox (personal) did not participate in Wednesday’s walk-through. … LB Terrel Bernard (elbow), DE Joey Bosa (hamstring/wrist), OT Spencer Brown (shoulder) and WR Joshua Palmer (ankle) were limited. … DE Michael Hoecht (Achilles) attended Sunday’s game against the Bengals and was seen in the locker room after practice on a medical scooter. … DT Ed Oliver (biceps) did conditioning drills with a strength coach after practice.