The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially signed veteran S Rayshawn Jenkins, the team announced Sunday. In a corresponding move, the team released veteran S Darnell Savage. Per the team, Jenkins’ contract is a one-year deal.
With a full 91-man roster, the team needed to free up a roster spot for Jenkins, but it’s surprising to see Savage let go. He failed to practice in team periods the past two days, only going through individual work on Saturday, but the team’s press release didn’t list him with an injury designation among his release.
Savage reportedly agreed to a deal with Pittsburgh in March but did not officially sign his one-year deal until June. He’s bounced around several teams since wrapping up a five-year stint in Green Bay, appearing for three different teams a year ago. His connection to DBs Coaches Jason Simmons and Joe Whitt Jr. seemed to give him a chance to stick, but his tenure will end one week into camp.
News of Jenkins was first reported on Saturday but the team did not sign him ahead of the weekend practice. Jenkins should be ready to hit the field Monday which coincides with Pittsburgh’s first padded practice of training camp.
A nine-year veteran, Jenkins has plenty of gameday experience. He’s appeared in 139 games making 93 starts and has primarily played with the Los Angeles Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s bounced around the last two seasons, spending 2024 with the Seattle Seahawks and last year with the Cleveland Browns. In 2025, he played in all 17 games with three starts to finish the year with 45 tackles and one interception.
With Savage released, Jenkins could compete for a 53-man roster spot but will at least provide summer depth. Jalen Ramsey has yet to practice due to a spring knee injury and remains on Active/PUP. DeShon Elliott dressed and went through individual work during Saturday’s practice but did not participate in the 11 on 11 team periods.
That left lines thin at safety with the group largely comprised of rookies or young players like Robert Spears-Jennings, Sebastian Castro, Jack Henderson and Devan Boykin.
Pittsburgh practices Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week. The Saturday practice will be the team’s night session at Latrobe Memorial Stadium.