The Baltimore Ravens are releasing wide receiver Russell Gage, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Gage missed all of last season with a torn patellar tendon that he suffered in training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he is now being let go by Baltimore after signing with the team earlier this month. Since being selected in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of LSU, Gage has racked up 244 receptions for 2,491 yards and 14 touchdowns. He had big moments with the Atlanta Falcons and Buccaneers earlier in his career, but his major injury from last year could be affecting him in 2024. Either way, there's a chance another organization will give the veteran a shot as teams cut down to 53 players by Tuesday at 4 p.m. Eastern.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Russell Gage (undisclosed) was signed midway through training camp and jumped in immediately to find the end zone in his first practice. However, he suffered an undisclosed injury shortly thereafter and has only appeared on a side field while working with a trainer since. Time is running out for Gage to get healthy to make a case he belongs on the 53-man roster. Meanwhile, receiver Devontez Walker (rib) played just six offensive snaps in the second preseason game against the Falcons, and head coach John Harbaugh said afterward he's still dealing with a rib injury. The fourth-round rookie hasn't had many moments in practice during camp, has had few opportunities in games and has battled physical issues. It's highly unlikely Baltimore would outright cut a fourth-round selection, but Walker is running out of time to prove he warrants a game-day role when the regular season kicks off in two weeks.
The Baltimore Ravens signed free-agent wide receiver Russell Gage (knee) to an undisclosed deal on Tuesday. Gage had a workout with the New Orleans Saints during minicamp in June but will now head to Baltimore to provide depth at wideout. The 28-year-old missed all of last season due to a torn patellar tendon in his knee last August and was cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March. Rashod Bateman has been pretty banged up so far in training camp, so perhaps the Ravens wanted some extra depth at a position that also includes Zay Flowers, Nelson Agholor, Tylan Wallace, rookie Devontez Walker and Deonte Harty, among others. Gage appears to be healthy now and will be competing for one of the final spots at receiver with the Ravens in camp and the preseason. In 13 games (four starts) in Tampa in 2022, Gage had a 51-426-5 line.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage (knee) is now a free agent. When the team reworked his deal last year, it included an option for the 2024 season, and the team has declined to pick it up. The move clears what would have been $10 million in salary, but the Bucs will take on roughly $6.9 million in dead money from old restructures. Gage signed a three-year, $30 million in free agency before the 2022 season to give quarterback Tom Brady another weapon in the passing game. He did have a career-high five touchdowns in 2022, but he also had a disappointing 51 catches for 426 yards and didn't play at all last year due to a torn patellar tendon that he suffered in training camp in August. The 28-year-old should resurface with another team, but coming off a major knee injury, it's unlikely that he'll be able to make much of a fantasy impact wherever he lands.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed wide receiver Russell Gage (knee) to a three-year, $30 million deal in 2022 to give then-quarterback Tom Brady another weapon, but he has struggled to stay on the field ever since due to injuries. Gage took a pay cut last offseason and then missed all of 2023 after tearing his patellar tendon in training camp last summer. His contract calls for a $13.35 million salary cap hit this year, and the Buccaneers can save $6.45 million by cutting him. It was believed that the team would decide to cut him before March 1, when he was scheduled to earn a roster bonus. Even if the 28-year-old sticks around, he'll merely be receiver depth for Tampa behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Trey Palmer.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage (knee) has officially been placed on the injured reserve on Sunday. Gage will miss the entire 2023 campaign after suffering a torn patellar tendon during Wednesday's joint practice with the New York Jets. The 27-year-old dealt with multiple injuries last season that limited him to 13 games. He finally looked healthy during training camp, but unfortunately suffered this season-ending injury. Gage will now sit out his third and final year of his contract with Tampa Bay. The Bucs already have Mike Evans and Chris Godwin locked into the first two receiver spots. However, the third wideout job is completely wide open right now. It'll be interesting to see if someone is able to set themselves apart during the final preseason game.
Russell Gage Feared To Have Suffered Season-Ending Injury
Updating a previous report, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage (knee) suffered a non-contact knee injury during Wednesday's joint practice with the New York Jets, and the belief heading into exams is that the severe injury will end Gage's season before it even began. It's possible that the 27-year-old suffered a torn ACL while backpedaling at practice on Wednesday. It's a huge blow for Gage and Tampa's receiver depth behind starters Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in 2023. With Gage now likely missing all of this year, Deven Thompkins could have a clear path to being the team's No. 3 wideout in 2023. In his first year in Tampa in 2022, Gage caught 51 of his 70 targets for 426 yards and a career-high five touchdowns in 13 games (four starts).
Russell Gage Carted Off The Field After Non-Contact Injury
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage (leg) was carted off the field on Wednesday after suffering an apparent leg injury during a joint practice with the New York Jets, according to multiple reporters on the scene. Gage was apparently in tears as he exited the field, and the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud noted it was a non-contact injury as Gage was backpedaling. Non-contact injuries are usually never good, but we'll have to wait for more word on the seriousness of Gage's injury. The 27-year-old caught 51 passes for 426 yards and five touchdowns in his first year in Tampa in 2022. If Gage is forced to miss significant time with this injury, Deven Thompkins could emerge as a starter in the slot for the Bucs alongside starters Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage (leg) was idle at the start of training camp last week with a leg injury, but he's now getting repetitions in full-team drills. Gage still has plenty of time before the start of the regular season to work his way back to 100 percent health, and he appears to be well on his way. The 27-year-old will see plenty of work out of the slot in 2023 as the No. 3 wideout behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but he'll also move to the perimeter at times. In his first year in Tampa in 2022, he disappointed with 51 receptions for 426 yards, although he caught a career-high five TD passes. Unless Evans or Godwin miss time in 2023 with an injury, Gage will probably be nothing more than a bench receiver in 12-team fantasy leagues.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage (leg) joined his teammates at training camp practice on Sunday, and although he wasn't involved in full-team periods, the sixth-year wideout took part in individual position drills. Gage didn't suffer any setbacks and took another step forward on Monday, taking part in individual drills and the first receiver-defensive back one-on-one drills of camp. "He's getting back to normal," said head coach Todd Bowles. "We're working him in gradually. It's good to see him out there." The 27-year-old should be Tampa's No. 3 wideout in 2023 behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but with quarterback Tom Brady now retired, Gage is going to go undrafted in most standard-sized fantasy leagues.
