The San Francisco 49ers have elevated veteran wide receiver Russell Gage Jr. from the practice squad, meaning he will see his first game action since 2022. Gage missed the past two seasons after suffering a torn patellar tendon, but was previously a reliable WR3 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Tom Brady. The 49ers' receiver room is in shambles, with Brandon Aiyuk, Jacob Cowing, and Demarcus Robinson all sidelined. Gage has a chance to see the field in Week 1 as he's expected to serve as the team's WR5 and play limited snaps if needed. While fantasy production isn't likely, simply seeing Gage back on the field after such a long recovery is a great story and an encouraging sign for San Francisco's depth moving forward.
Sep 6, 2025 4:32 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Russell Gage Jr. was released from the active roster on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. However, the team plans to sign him to their practice squad, and they will elevate him to the active roster if he's still available on gameday. The 29-year-old is best known for the first few years of his career with the Falcons, but he also scored five touchdowns in 2022 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gage actually hasn't been targeted since the 2022 season, but San Francisco clearly likes what it sees from the former sixth-round pick. If he does suit up for Sunday's game, he'd be off the fantasy radar.
Sep 3, 2025 12:01 AM EST
The San Francisco 49ers re-signed wide receiver Russell Gage Jr. (knee) to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday and released safety Richie Grant in a corresponding move, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Gage, who did not practice with the team on Thursday due to a knee injury, returns to the team after being released on cutdown day on Tuesday. The return of the 29-year-old speaks to how beat up their receiving room is right now with the Week 1 regular-season opener just over a week away. Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is on the PUP list, and Jauan Jennings (calf) and rookie Jordan Watkins (ankle) are up in the air to be ready on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. If both Jennings and Watkins are unavailable for the season opener, it's possible that Gage will be forced into a starting role early on.
Aug 28, 2025 6:31 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Russell Gage Jr. (knee) is believed to have suffered a sprained MCL that will sideline him for up to ten days, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Gage Jr.'s injury adds him to a growing list of sidelined wide receivers in San Francisco. Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Demarcus Robinson (suspension) are set to miss the start of the season, while Jauan Jennings (calf), Jacob Cowing (lower body), and Jordan Watkins (ankle) are all questionable for Week 1. Gage Jr. has not played in an NFL game since 2022, but he may be relied upon early in the season if he can quickly recover from his MCL sprain. San Francisco acquired former second-round pick Skyy Moore from the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday, who could be in line for more snaps with Gage Jr. sidelined.
Aug 21, 2025 10:28 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Russell Gage has "run some really crisp routes" in training camp practices and has drawn the praise of quarterback Brock Purdy, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic. The veteran wideout has been forced into a more prominent training camp role as a result of injuries to San Francisco receivers Brandon Aiyuk (knee), Jauan Jennings (calf), and Jacob Cowing (hamstring). Gage last appeared in an NFL game in 2022 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 74 career games, he's recorded 244 catches for 2,491 yards and 14 touchdowns. Gage is probably still a long shot to make an impact in fantasy this season, but he could earn some playing time early in the season if San Francisco continues to deal with injuries in their wide receiver room.
Aug 3, 2025 11:01 AM EST
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.
Aug 26, 2024 4:08 PM EST
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.
Aug 19, 2024 11:22 PM EST
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.
Aug 6, 2024 1:51 PM EST
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.
Mar 11, 2024 6:31 PM EST
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.
Mar 6, 2024 6:47 PM EST
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.
Aug 20, 2023 8:44 PM EST
Gage (leg) is participating in 11-on-11s, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Aug 3, 2023 8:26 AM EST
Gage (lower leg) was able to participate in the first set of one-on-one drills between receivers and defensive backs Monday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
Jul 31, 2023 8:52 PM EST
Gage (undisclosed) was on the field for practice Sunday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Jul 30, 2023 6:29 AM EST
Gage (undisclosed) spent Wednesday's practice running on the side, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Jul 28, 2023 9:08 AM EST
Gage (undisclosed) isn't quite back to full strength but won't be on the PUP list for the start of training camp, ESPN.com's Jenna Laine reports.
Jul 25, 2023 11:28 AM EST
Gage is being held out of Tuesday's practice with an unspecified injury, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
Jun 13, 2023 8:37 AM EST
Gage secured three of six targets for 15 yards and a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 30-17 loss to the Falcons on Sunday.
Jan 8, 2023 3:48 PM EST
Gage caught all three of his targets for 33 yards in Sunday's 30-24 win over the Panthers.
Jan 4, 2023 3:41 AM EST
Gage should retain a solid snap share in Sunday's Week 17 divisional battle against the Panthers despite the fact fellow wideout Julio Jones (knee) is active for the contest per Scott Smith of the team's official site.
Jan 1, 2023 9:08 AM EST
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