Former Falcons sixth-round pick Russell Gage has potentially suffered a season-ending knee injury during Wednesday’s joint practices between the Jets and Buccaneers.
Source: #Bucs WR Russell Gage will miss the 2023 season with the knee injury suffered today vs. the Jets.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 16, 2023
It was of the non-contact variety, and multiple reporters are saying it’s going to cost the LSU product the entire 2023 season. According to reports, Gage was visibly upset before he was carted from the field. Tampa’s head coach Todd Bowles confirmed that it was pretty serious.
“We wish him the best,” Bowles told reporters. “I can tell by the way he was sitting on the truck that it’s probably something that happened pretty bad. Our hearts go out to him and we’ll see how it goes.”
The former Falcons wideout signed a three-year, $30 million free-agent deal in 2022 to join a loaded receiving core, led by Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Unfortunately, his first season with the Bucs didn’t go as either side had hoped.
Injuries relegated Gage to just 13 games in which he underperformed, logging 426 yards and five touchdowns on 51 catches. Moreover, he did the club a solid this offseason by reworking his contract, lowering his base salary by $3 million but guaranteeing $7 million, with incentives making up the difference.
Even though the Buccaneers aren’t expected to compete for a playoff berth this season, Russell Gage’s presence is critical to the offense’s effectiveness. Trey Palmer has reportedly been standing out throughout training camp and even beat Sauce Gardner.
Gage is still under contract in 2024, so this injury shouldn’t be detrimental to his career earnings, but it might be physically, depending on the severity of the injury. We wish Gage the absolute best in his diagnosis and subsequent recovery.
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Photographer: Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire
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