The 49ers signed Gage to a reserve/future deal Tuesday.
Gage is an NFL veteran who spent the first four years of his career with the Falcons. The 28-year-old hasn't logged a snap in an NFL game since 2022 when he was with Tampa Bay -- during that campaign, he was fairly productive with a career-high five touchdown catches while recording 51 receptions for 426 yards over 13 regular-season contests. Gage latched on with San Francisco's practice squad this November and will now have a chance to compete for a roster spot during training camp this summer.
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Russell Gage: Finds work in San Francisco
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The 49ers signed Gage to their practice squad Wednesday.
The 28-year-old wideout failed to catch on in Baltimore this past offseason, but he's now found a new home in San Francisco. Gage most recently appeared in 13 regular-season games with the Buccaneers in 2022, catching 51 of his 70 targets for 426 yards and five touchdowns. He could find his way onto the 49ers' active roster if their wide receiver room faces injuries later this season.
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Russell Gage: Ravens move on
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The Ravens are releasing Gage, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Gage, who missed the entire 2023 season after suffering a torn patellar tendon last August, caught on with Baltimore earlier this month, but he'll now look to either land a roster spot elsewhere or secure a practice squad opportunity. The 28-year-old last saw regular-season action in 2022 with the Buccaneers, when he logged a 51-426-5 receiving line in 13 contests.
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Ravens' Russell Gage: Joins Baltimore WR corps
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The Ravens signed Gage on Tuesday.
Gage missed the entire 2023 season after suffering a torn patellar tendon last August, but he's progressed to the point where the Ravens will give him a chance to compete for a WR spot behind top options Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. The 28-year-old last saw regular-season action with Tampa Bay in 2022, when he recorded a 51/426/5 receiving line in 13 regular-season games.
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Russell Gage: Gets look from New Orleans
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Gage (knee) is receiving a tryout with the Saints during minicamp this week, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Gage missed the entire 2023 season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in August, then had the final year of his contract declined by the Buccaneers in March. His ability to work out for New Orleans should signal the 28-year-old is healthy enough to compete, and if he can return to form, he could still be a third No. 3 or 4 receiver for a variety of teams.
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Russell Gage: Contract option declined
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Gage (knee) is a free agent after the Buccaneers declined his contract option for 2024, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Gage signed a three-year, $30 million contract in March 2022 and ended up playing just 13 regular-season games in two years with Tampa Bay. He missed the entire 2023 season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in August -- an injury that's considered one of the toughest to come back from. Gage turned 28 in January and should still generate some interest as a potential third/fourth WR if he's able to continue his NFL career and complete his rehab from the severe knee injury.
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Buccaneers' Russell Gage: Officially lands on IR
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The Buccaneers placed Gage (knee) on injured reserve Sunday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Gage will miss the entirety of the 2023 campaign after he suffered a patellar tendon tear during Wednesday's joint practice with the Jets. The 27-year-old dealt with numerous injuries last regular season, including hamstring, ankle and back issues, which sidelined him for four games. He also sustained a scary concussion during Tampa Bay's wild-card loss to Dallas in January. Gage reworked his contract with the team in March, and he dealt with a lower leg injury to begin training camp. After finally looking healthy again heading into joint practices, the 6-foot slot receiver will now have to sit out until the final season of his three-year contract with the Bucs in 2024.
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Buccaneers' Russell Gage: Out for season
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Gage sustained a season-ending right knee injury during Wednesday's joint practice with the Jets, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Gage needed a cart to get off the practice field following a non-contact injury. After undergoing an MRI, he's expected to have surgery on his right knee in the coming days. With Gage out for the 2023 campaign, the immediate depth behind the Buccaneers' top two wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin includes rookie sixth-round pick Trey Palmer, Deven Thompkins and David Moore.
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Buccaneers' Russell Gage: Expected to miss 2023 campaign
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Gage (knee) is expected to miss the entire 2023 season after being carted off the practice field Wednesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
The Buccaneers haven't yet confirmed the severity of Gage's injury, but it appears to be significant given that it was of the non-contact variety. The 27-year-old wideout will likely be placed on season-ending injured reserve in the near future, with his attention turned toward making a fully recovery for 2024. Tampa Bay will likely add receiver depth behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, to fill the void at the No. 3 wideout spot.
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Buccaneers' Russell Gage: Injury could end season
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The Buccaneers fear that the non-contact knee injury Gage suffered in Wednesday's practice is season-ending, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Prior to picking up the injury, Gage was in line to serve as the Buccaneers' No. 3 wide receiver behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The severity of his injury won't be confirmed until he undergoes further testing, but if Gage is indeed headed for a long-term absence, the Buccaneers will likely add depth at the position in short order. Beyond Evans and Godwin, the Buccaneers have mostly unproven options at receiver.
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Buccaneers' Russell Gage: Carted off practice field
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Gage was carted off the practice field Wednesday due to an apparent non-contact injury, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Gage missed some time due to a lower leg issue earlier in training camp, but he now appears to have sustained a more severe injury. The Buccaneers have yet to provide an official update on Gage's status, but non-contact injuries aren't often minor. As long as Gage is sidelined, Trey Palmer, Deven Thompkins and David Moore could see more reps behind the team's top two wideouts, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
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Buccaneers' Russell Gage: Another step forward Monday
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Gage (lower leg) was able to participate in the first set of 1-on-1 drills between receivers and defensive backs Monday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
The activity level was a step up from Sunday, when Gage was able to jump into individual position drills for the first time. The veteran also participated in those Monday in addition to the reps he took against cornerbacks, leading head coach Todd Bowles to remark that Gage is "getting back to normal." Brianna Dix of the team's official site also notes the 27-year-old looked effective, using both a double move and inside leverage to record catches. Assuming he continues free of setbacks, it seems likely Gage will be able to achieve full practice participation before the end of the week.
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Buccaneers' Russell Gage: Back on practice field
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Gage (undisclosed) was on the field for practice Sunday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Gage had missed the Buccaneers' first three sessions of training camp due to a previously undisclosed issue, though Auman relays that the receiver had been tending to a leg injury. The 27-year-old was in full uniform Sunday and was spotted running routes without any obvious limitations, so he looks like he'll have a clean bill of health heading into the Buccaneers' Aug. 11 preseason opener versus the Steelers.
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Buccaneers' Russell Gage: Working his way back
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Gage (undisclosed) isn't quite back to full strength, but he won't be placed on the PUP list for the start of training camp, Jenna Laine of ESPN reports.
Gage missed June minicamp with an undisclosed injury, and while he apparently is still in recovery mode six weeks later, the Bucs don't seem worried about his Week 1 availability. The 27-year-old agreed to reduce his base salary from $10 million to $7 million this offseason, setting him up for another year as the No. 3 receiver alongside Mike Evans and Chris Godwin after injuries marred Gage's first season in Tampa.
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Buccaneers' Russell Gage: Not practicing
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Gage is being held out of Tuesday's practice with an unspecified injury, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Gage was forced out of Tampa Bay's wild-card loss to Dallas in January after a hard hit led to a concussion and possible neck injury, but this latest issue likely is unrelated given that he participated in the early portion of OTAs. He agreed to reduce his base salary from $10 million to $7 million this March, getting a full guarantee in exchange. Gage thus figures to operate as Tampa's No. 3 receiver again, though he mostly disappointed last season and is now set up to catch passes from either Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask in 2023.
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Buccaneers' Russell Gage: Reworks contract
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The Buccaneers restructured Gage's contact Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Gage agreed to adjust his 2023 base salary from $10 million to $7 million, thus creating some slight relief for the cap-strapped Buccaneers. This renegotiated contract does fully guarantee his payment for the 2023 season, which represents a $2 million increase in guaranteed salary, according to Greg Auman of Fox Sports. Gage's new deal also includes multiple salary incentives that will give him an opportunity to earn back some of his previous salary.
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Buccaneers' Russell Gage: Avoids neck injury
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Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles confirmed Tuesday that Gage (concussion) has movement in all of his extremities and should be released from the hospital later Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Gage was hospitalized after exiting late in the fourth quarter of Monday's 31-14 loss to the Cowboys in the wild-card round upon taking a hit to the back of his head/neck area. While Gage has been diagnosed with a concussion, Bowles disclosed that the Buccaneers have ruled out any neck injury for the veteran receiver. Provided he isn't experiencing long-term symptoms of the concussion, Gage looks like he'll be a full participant by the time OTAs begin in the spring. Gage, who tallied two catches for 10 yards on eight targets before exiting Monday's contest, finished the regular season -- his first in Tampa Bay -- with a 51-426-5 receiving line over 13 games.
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Buccaneers' Russell Gage: Has movement in all extremities
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The Buccaneers announced Tuesday that Gage (concussion/neck) remained overnight for additional testing at a local hospital following Monday's loss to the Cowboys, and that he has regained movement in all his extremities.
Tampa Bay's statement notes that Gage will undergo additional testing Tuesday. The wideout had to be carted off the field during Monday's wild-card playoff loss against Dallas due to a neck injury and concussion. The Buccaneers will provide further updates about the 26-year-old's health as more information becomes available.
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Buccaneers' Russell Gage: Suffers concussion Monday
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Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said postgame that Gage sustained a concussion during Monday's wild-card loss to Dallas, and he was taken to a local hospital to be evaluated for an additional neck injury, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Gage had to be carted off the field after sustaining this injury late in the fourth quarter, as he was down on the field for some time following a hit from behind to his head and neck. Bowles added that the 26-year-old had movement in his extremities before being transported to the hospital, per Smith. This subsequent medical examination should provide more clarity on the nature and extent of this potential neck injury as well.
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Buccaneers' Russell Gage: Strong contributions again Sunday
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Gage brought in five of six targets for 65 yards in the Buccaneers' 19-16 overtime win over the Cardinals on Sunday night.
Gage put together another strong performance despite Julio Jones garnering active status after missing the Week 15 loss to the Bengals with a knee injury. Gage's yardage total checked in second on the night for the Bucs, and he made critical 23- and 13-yard grabs on the game-winning drive in overtime despite appearing to hurt his leg on each catch. The veteran wideout's 18 targets over the last pair of contests is certainly encouraging after he played a minimal role for weeks, and it remains to be seen if Tom Brady will lean heavily on him again in a pivotal Week 17 home divisional clash against the Panthers.
