Who Should I Start? Russell Gage Jr. or Brenden Rice

Monday, August 26, 4:08 PM

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.

Tuesday, August 27, 7:41 PM

The Los Angeles Chargers announced on Tuesday that rookie wide receiver Brenden Rice and safeties Tony Jefferson and JT Woods were among the players that made the final 53-man roster heading into the 2024 regular season. Rice made the final cut after impressive during training camp and the preseason. The 22-year-old son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice was taken in the seventh round of April's NFL draft out of USC. He might be worth stashing in deep dynasty/keeper leagues, but for his rookie season, he'll merely be a depth option for the Bolts behind Joshua Palmer, DJ Chark, rookie Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Simi Fehoko and Derius Davis. Rice excels with his route-running and also plays with a physical style on contested catches down the field. Initially, he might be a red-zone weapon for a new-look Chargers offense in 2024.