Buccaneers WR Russell Gage carted off practice field with apparent leg injury

Bucs receiver Russell Gage suffered a leg injury Wednesday and needed to be carted off the field and into the lockerroom.

Reports suggested the injury was more than just a simple strain. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that Gage injured his knee. But he went down with contact. The Bucs fear that the injury is severe enough to keep him out the entire season.

#Bucs WR Russell Gage suffered a non-contact knee injury during today's joint practice with the #Jets and the belief heading into exams is that the severe injury will end his season, per me and @MikeGarafolo. A hit to WR depth and crushing for Gage.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 16, 2023

The Pewter Report, which covers the Bucs, said that several Tampa players took a knee as trainers dealt with Gage, The receiver, who had tears in his eyes, couldn’t put any weight on his leg. He apparently went down while back pedaling. That’s according Rick Stroud, who covers the Bucs for the Tampa Bay Times.

The Bucs are conducting joint practices with the Jets. Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask are vying for the starting quarterback job. And there aren’t a ton of veteran receivers. Of course, there’s Mike Evans, who is one of the best receivers in the NFL. Chris Godwin also has experience. Gage caught 51 passes for 426 yards and five touchdowns last year when the Bucs ran a pass-heavy offense for Tom Brady‘s final season.

Gage dealt with hamstring injuries last season. Plus, the former LSU star needed to leave the team’s wildcard playoff game against the Cowboys earlier this year because of a concussion.

***BREAKING: #Bucs WR Carted Off At Jets Practicehttps://t.co/AeOLyTUAG8

— PewterReport 🏴‍☠️ (@PewterReport) August 16, 2023

The Falcons selected Russell Gage in the sixth round of the 2018 draft. He was one of the few players drafted who hadn’t participated at the NFL Combine. Gage spent his first four seasons in Atlanta. In his final season with the Falcons, he ended the year with some terrific games. He caught 11 passes for 130 yards in a loss to the Bucs. And he also posted a 100-yard-plus game against the Saints.

The Bucs signed Gage to a three-year $30 million contract in March, 2022.