Russell Gage carted off with 'severe' injury during Bucs-Jets practice
By Josh Hill
Wednesday's joint practice with the New York Jets quickly took a turn for the absolute worst when Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage needed to be carted off the field with a 'severe' injury.
Early indications are that the injury is believed to be season-ending, although nothing official has been announced by the team.
Gage went down with what appeared to be a non-contact injury, one that is being described as 'severe' by those in attendance and he was reportedly seen in tears as he was being taken away from the field.
The injury to Gage is yet another blow to the Bucs starting lineup, as the team is still waiting for Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen to return to full health. Earlier this week head coach Todd Bowles indicated that the team is preparing to be without Jensen when Week 1 rolls around, and it now appears that the Bucs will be down another player atop the depth chart when the season begins.
Russell Gage injury update: Bucs WR expected to miss season after 'severe' injury
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport was among the first ro report that the injury is expected to end Gage's season before it even begins.
#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
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, gage was 'emotional' as he was being carted off.
During a joint practice vs. the Jets, Buccaneers’ WR Russell Gage was carted off and was emotional as he was taken into the Jets’ training facility.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 16, 2023
It's not only a tough blow to the Bucs wide receiver depth, but it's a devastating setback for Gage. He battled through injuries last seson with Tampa Bay, ending his year by being stretchered off the field during the team's Wild Card loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
The expectation was that Gage would bounce back and settled back into his WR3 role with the Bucs this season, one that would likely provide ample opportunity for him to shine. All of that has come crashing down, though, as it appears his season is already over.
Without Gage, the Bucs will need to look at a group of mostly rookie receivers to find a replacement. Gage was expected to play in the slot this season, a role in which Devin Thompkins serves as the next-man-up on the depth chart. Guys like Kade Warner and Rakim Jarrett could use the opportunity to step up and prove themselves to be a useful piece of the roster, as both undrafted rookies came to Bucs camp with high expectations.
All of the roster tinkering will be figured out in time. It's tough to think about much more than how much this absolutely sucks for a guy like Gage who worked so hard to get back only to suffer this sort of setback.
This story is breaking and will be updated with more information as it becomes available.