Russell Gage carted off following collapse after scary injury

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage was carted off the field during their wild-card game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Gage was targeted in the red zone in the fourth quarter as the Bucs attempted to salvage their 31-6 deficit, but he slipped before the ball arrived. Dallas safety Donovan Wilson made contact with Gage’s neck. Gage attempted to get up multiple times but was not able to. A backboard was brought out and he was carted to the locker room and presumedly to a local Tampa hospital.

The video below depicts the injury, but be warned, it doesn’t look great.

Russell Gage Jr injury on the field as Tom Brady looks on, hope he’s alright pic.twitter.com/by8C6uGE2T

— Ted Buddwell 🏀🏈 (@TedBuddy8) January 17, 2023

Of course, the football world held its breath during the moment. Memories of Damar Hamlin’s terrifying cardiac arrest surely flooded every fan’s mind as the trainers took a look at him.

More updates on Gage’s status will be provided throughout the night and into Tuesday.

Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse exits second half of wild card game versus Tampa Bay

Dallas Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse exited the field in the second half of the wild card game versus Tampa Bay as his squad led 24-0 with minutes left to play in the third quarter. Kearse was one of six captains for Dallas on Monday night, joining Dak Prescott and Zack Martin, among others.

The safety out of Clemson had one of the biggest plays of the game prior to his knee injury. He picked off Tom Brady in the end zone, cutting off the Bucs’ first real shot at points in the first half.

Kearse has often left the field for a play or two this season but typically returned quickly. This time, the seventh-year veteran is questionable to return and the Bucs capitalized with their first score of the game. After a failed two-point conversion, Dallas held the lead at 24-6. They eventually won 31-14.