Let go again by 49ers

Savage was waived by the 49ers on Friday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Analysis: Savage's third stint with the 49ers comes to an end as the team promoted running back Jeff Wilson from the practice squad. Savage could rejoin the team again but is unlikely to find himself in a situation to play since Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard are both currently healthy.

Re-signs with San Francisco

Savage signed a one-year contract with the 49ers on Friday.

Analysis: Savage will join the 49ers for his third stint with the club in just over a week after the team opened room for him on the roster by placing Raheem Mostert (forearm) and Emmanuel Moseley (shoulder) on injured reserve. The veteran signal-caller will step in as the No. 3 option on the depth chart behind Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard, in some order.

Cut loose by San Francisco

The 49ers waived Savage on Thursday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Savage's second stint of the season with the 49ers lasted only a few days longer than the first, with the 28-year-old sticking on the roster for a week and a half this time around. There appeared to be a chance that Savage would dress as the backup quarterback for the 49ers' Thursday night game against the Raiders, but the team's decision to release him implies some level of optimism that C.J. Beathard (wrist/thumb) will be available for No. 2 duties if unable to start. Nick Mullens is the only…read more

Returns to San Francisco

Savage re-signed with the 49ers on Monday, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Savage became an option following Adrian Colbert's (ankle) placement on injured reserve. For now, San Francisco seems comfortable with C.J. Beathard at the helm. Savage will provide a veteran safety blanket should anything happen to Beathard, but even if he did find his way onto the field in 2018, his fantasy value figures to rank near the bottom of the league.

Let go by 49ers

Savage was released by the 49ers on Saturday.

Analysis: Savage signed with San Francisco early this week, and appears to have been nothing more than a quarterback for the scout team, though he could still re-sign with the team at some point. Nick Mullens remains entrenched as C.J. Beathard's backup for the 49ers, as Savage looks for his next opportunity.

Officially signs with San Francisco

Savage signed a contract with the 49ers on Tuesday, Jordan Schultz of ESPN reports.

Analysis: After a few weeks with just two quarterbacks on their active roster, the 49ers, as expected, will add the journeyman Savage to bolster the depth at the position. C.J. Beathard has shown enough in relief of Jimmy Garoppolo (knee) to validate his spot as the starter for the remainder of the season, but it remains yet to be seen whether Savage will operate as the backup or the No. 3 option behind Nick Mullens.

Likely to join 49ers

Savage is expected to sign with the 49ers, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports reports.

Analysis: The 49ers have been looking to add a third quarterback to the roster ever since Jimmy Garoppolo (knee) landed on injured reserve. Savage is expected to be the No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart behind C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens.

Schedules workout with Niners

Savage will workout for the 49ers, Jordan Schultz of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: San Francisco is eagerly expanding their options behind center following the news of Jimmy Garoppolo's torn ACL. While it's still in the early stages, the decision to bring in Savage for a workout hints there is some level of interest on the 49ers' end. As of right now, C.J. Beathard is the lone healthy quarterback on the roster. Even if San Francisco reaches an agreement with Savage, the five-year veteran is likely to begin his Bay Area tenure on the bench with a clipboard in hand.

Pushed out of NOLA

The Saints released Savage on Saturday, Nick Underhill of The New Orleans Advocate reports.

Analysis: This move had been expected since the Saints traded for Teddy Bridgewater. They also kept Taysom Hill on the roster, so they have no room for Savage. The fifth-year pro has starter experience with eight games last year, completing 125 of 223 passes for 1,412 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions. It's not a flashy resume, but he could still be a formidable backup.

Days with New Orleans numbered

Savage is likely on the wrong side of the roster bubble after the Saints acquired quarterback Teddy Bridgewater from the Jets on Wednesday, Josh Katzenstein of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Analysis: Savage, Taysom Hill and J.T. Barrett spent all preseason battling for the backup gig behind Drew Brees, but none of them will get the job after New Orleans doled out a third-round draft pick for Bridgewater. If the Saints are to carry a third quarterback on the roster this season, the smart money is on it being Hill, who has proven himself as a valuable special-teams asset after recording four tackles in the final five weeks of the 2017 campaign and a blocked punt in the Saints'…read more

Returns to practice following Friday's absence

Savage (undisclosed) returned to practice Saturday, John DeShazier of the Saints' official site reports.

Analysis: Savage was forced to leave Friday's practice with an undisclosed injury. With the veteran quarterback back in the mix, it doesn't seem like there is too much concern moving forward. Savage currently holds the edge over both Taysom Hill and J.T. Barrett for the No. 2 quarterback position in New Orleans.

Exits practice early

Savage left Thursday's practice early with an undisclosed injury, Josh Katzenstein of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Analysis: Savage is the only quarterback behind Drew Brees that has NFL experience, as Taysom Hill has only played special teams and undrafted rookie J.T. Barrett has yet to strut his stuff. Savage struggled last season in Houston, completing 125 of 223 attempts (56 percent) for 1,412 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions. The Saints may be motivated to see what Hill and Barrett can develop into as they search for a successor to Brees, who only has two more years remaining on his current contract.

The Saints and Savage agreed to a contract Wednesday, Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Selected in the fourth round of the 2014 draft by the Texans, Savage didn't fare well in his 13 appearances (nine starts) over the last four seasons. Notably, his touchdown rate was a pitiful 2.2 percent, he tossed more interceptions (six) than TDs (five), and surpassed 300 yards in a game just one time. In his new locale, Savage will be in a cushy spot behind Drew Brees, who recently re-upped with the Saints for another two years.

Savage (concussion) posted last week on his personal Twitter account that he's shed 17 pounds during the offseason.

Analysis: After losing the starting quarterback job to first-round pick Deshaun Watson following a disastrous showing Week 1, Savage reclaimed the No. 1 gig in early November following Watson's season-ending ACL tear. In his second turn as starter, Savage did little to assert himself as anything more than a backup-level NFL talent, finishing the campaign with a 5:6 TD:INT ratio and a 56 percent completion rate while averaging 6.3 yards per attempt across eight outings. Savage was sidelined for the final…read more

The Texans have placed Savage (concussion) on IR.

Analysis: As a result, T.J. Yates will continue to start at QB for the Texans for the team's final two games. Savage thus finishes the 2017 season with a 56.1 completion percentage and 1,412 passing yards to go along with five TDs and six picks over the course of eight appearances. Savage is eligible to become a free agent this offseason, but it's possible that the Texans will look to keep him around to provide depth behind franchise QB Deshaun Watson, who is bouncing back from a torn ACL that he…read more

The Texans are expected to place Savage (concussion) on injured reserve this week, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: The development isn't particularly surprising given that Texans head coach Bill O'Brien admitted Monday that Savage wasn't likely to play again in 2017 after suffering a serious concussion in a Dec. 9 loss to the 49ers that briefly resulted in the quarterback's hands twitching uncontrollably. With Savage generally having failed to impress in his seven starts and finishing the campaign with a 5:6 TD:INT ratio and 56 percent completion mark, it seems unlikely that he'll draw interest from teams…read more

Savage (concussion), who is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, isn't expected to play again this season, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports.

Analysis: Though Savage has indicated that he's feeling better after suffering the head injury in a scary scene during the Texans' Week 14 loss to the 49ers and has a chance to pass all phases of the protocol before the final two games of the season, Houston seemingly has little to gain by having the quarterback suit up. The Texans drew criticism for the way they responded to Savage suffering the concussion last week, as he was briefly allowed to return to the contest before being pulled after throwing…read more

Texans head coach Bill O'Brien said after Wednesday's practice that Savage (concussion) wouldn't play Sunday against the Jaguars, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: This isn't a surprising development after Savage was knocked out of the Week 14 loss to the 49ers, though he was briefly allowed to reenter the contest despite appearing to lose feeling in his hand when he suffered the concussion. The handling of that situation will be the subject of a joint investigation by the NFL and NFL Players' Association, but it shouldn't have any bearing on Savage's status. He'll be held to the normal standards of the NFL's concussion protocol, with O'Brien holding out…read more

Savage (concussion) did not practice Wednesday.

Analysis: We'll have to see if Savage progresses to the point where he might suit up Sunday (even as a backup) against the Jaguars, but at this stage it looks like T.J. Yates will probably draw the Texans' starting QB assignment this weekend, ESPN.com reports.

Texans head coach Bill O'Brien expects T.J. Yates to start over Savage (concussion) in Sunday's game in Jacksonville, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: Per Wilson, O'Brien also said he isn't sure about the backup situation, perhaps hinting that Yates will get the start even if Savage passes through the NFL's concussion protocol prior to Sunday's game. The Texans are getting a lot of heat for taking too long to place Savage in the protocol, as he initially was allowed to return to Sunday's 26-16 loss to the 49ers after taking a massive hit that left his hands twitching. He was removed shortly thereafter and Yates proceeded to complete 14 of 26…read more

Exits game with concussion

Savage was diagnosed with a concussion and won't return to Sunday's game against the 49ers. He'll finish the day with six completions for 63 yards on 12 attempts.

Analysis: Savage took a massive hit in the first half from 49ers defensive end Elvis Dumervil and was slow to get up, resulting in him heading to the medical tent for a brief period. He would later return to the game for one series and threw two incompletions before getting pulled late in the second quarter, allowing T.J. Yates to take over under center. With Savage now dealing with a head injury on top of his largely unproductive play as the Texans' starting signal caller for seven games, it's fair to…read more

Savage is being evalutated for a concussion during Sunday's game against the 49ers, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: In a scary sight, Savage suffered a brutal sack during Sunday's game and looked visibly shaken up. He was briefly allowed back into the game before being taken to the locker room, with T.J. Yates entering the game in his stead. If Savage's injury will keep him out long term, expect the Texans to make a practice squad activation or look in free agency for another backup. Savage has completed just 56 percent of his passes for 1,349 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions through seven games.

Savage completed 31 of 49 passes for 365 yards with a touchdown and an interception in Sunday's 24-13 loss to the Titans.

Analysis: Savage threw a four-yard touchdown to Stephen Anderson in the second quarter and completed a game-saving 22-yard pass to Anderson on 4th-and-19 with his team trailing 17-13 inside the two-minute warning. However, the quarterback immediately threw an interception to effectively lose the game on the next play. While he eclipsed his previous career high of 260 passing yards by over 100 in this one, this was a bittersweet performance for Savage, who was evaluated for a concussion at halftime and…read more

Texans head coach Bill O'Brien said that Savage will remain the team's starting quarterback Sunday against the Titans, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: In four games since taking over for the injured Deshaun Watson (knee) as the No. 1 quarterback, Savage has thrown five interceptions and lost five fumbles. The third-year signal caller has moved the team better the last two games -- directing nine scoring drives -- but obviously, the turnovers are a problem. Though Savage will get a chance to redeem himself in Week 13, O'Brien indicated that he'll "have to go in a different direction," if Savage doesn't correct his ball-security issues.

Critical turnovers in loss

Savage completed 22 of 37 passes for 252 yards and two interceptions in Monday night's 23-16 loss to the Ravens. He also was sacked twice and lost a fumble.

Analysis: Savage's turnovers killed Houston's chances of winning, as he was stripped on the team's second-last drive before throwing a back-breaking pick on his final play. Despite only appearing in six games this season, Savage has committed 12 turnovers, with his seven lost fumbles unfortunately leading the league in the category. With those problems really hurting his performances, Savage will aim to clean his act up this Sunday against the Titans.

Savage completed 22 of 32 passes for 230 yards, two touchdowns and an interception during Sunday's 31-21 win over the Cardinals.

Analysis: True, Savage has spent most of his career as a backup, but the game was Savage's first career multi-touchdown game. His second score put Houston back on top in the third quarter, a play in which he back-shouldered a 28-yard touchdown to DeAndre Hopkins. Any quarterback that would take the place of the dynamic rookie Deshaun Watson (knee) would be considerably less electric in comparison, but Savage is very much a game-manager type. The fact that Sunday's solid -- but far from great…read more

Texans coach Bill O'Brien said Monday that Savage will start Week 11 against the Cardinals.

Analysis: Savage was predictably ineffective in Sunday's 33-7 loss to the Rams, but there isn't any reason to think T.J. Yates would be significantly better. The Texans will eventually give Yates or Josh Johnson a look if Savage doesn't display something in the range of competence within the next week or two. If nothing else, this is at least good news for DeAndre Hopkins, who was targeted on 30 of Savage's 80 pass attempts the past three games. Savage also forced the ball to Hopkins when he got playing…read more

Savage completed 18 of 36 passes for 221 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's 33-7 loss to the Rams.

Analysis: Savage also lost a pair of fumbles and was lucky to finish with only two interceptions. He had a pick-six wiped out by a defensive holding penalty, and the Rams dropped two or three potential interceptions. With Savage turning in back-to-back hideous outings despite getting plenty of help from DeAndre Hopkins, the Texans may consider switching to T.J. Yates (or perhaps even Josh Johnson) for Week 11 against the Cardinals.

Savage enters Sunday's game against the Rams having spent the entire week with the first-team offense, something that head coach Bill O'Brien considers "a big deal," Drew Dougherty of the Texans' official site reports.

Analysis: O'Brien voiced confidence when talking about Savage, who had a partial week of preparation with the ones in Week 9 when Deshaun Watson (knee) was injured on a Thursday. In addition to his growing familiarity with the personnel, Savage is buoyed by his final two possessions in a loss to the Colts last week, when he completed 10-of-15 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown. We suspect the coaches want Savage to "manage" Sunday's game while leaning on his backfield against the Rams, who rank 26th…read more

Savage and backup quarterback T.J. Yates both took reps with the first-team offense Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: Head coach Bill O'Brien stressed there was nothing abnormal about the No. 2 quarterback getting some time with the starting unit, but it does suggest Savage will not have a long leash. He didn't play very well in Week 9's loss to the Colts, and the coach has a history of yanking an ineffective starter.

Texans head coach Bill O'Brien said he expects Savage to start Week 10 against the Rams, Deepi Sidhu of the Texans' official site reports. "We've got to get Tom playing better. We all have to do better," O'Brien said Monday.

Analysis: After star rookie Deshaun Watson (knee) suffered a season-ending injury in practice Nov. 2, Savage stepped back in as the starting quarterback for the first time since Week 1 in Sunday's 20-14 loss to the Colts, and the results weren't encouraging. Savage completed just 19 of 44 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown while losing one of two fumbles, with his wayward accuracy almost leading to a pair of interceptions during the contest. The fourth-year signal caller was able to right the ship to…read more

Savage completed 19 of 44 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown while losing one of two fumbles in Sunday's 20-14 loss to the Colts.

Analysis: Savage threw a 34-yard touchdown to DeAndre Hopkins with 6:11 to play in the fourth quarter for the offense's first points after a defensive touchdown accounted for all of Houston's first-half scoring. He almost completed the comeback in the last minute, but he threw three consecutive incompletions before fumbling on the game's final play after getting to 1st-and-goal on the Colts' seven-yard line. The major drop-off from Deshaun Watson (knee) to Savage is apparent.