Russell Gage

With modest college stats, Gage was not invited to the combine any of the major award games, but attracted attention after an exceptional Pro Day and strong endorsement of his work ethic by coaches.[5] Gage was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round with the 194th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, four rounds behind fellow LSU wide receiver D. J. Chark.[7] In Week 6, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Gage recorded his first professional reception, which went for six yards.[8] As a rookie, he totaled six receptions for 63 yards in 15 games on a team with deep talent at receiver.[9]

In Week 13 of the 2019 season, Gage recorded his first professional receiving touchdown against the New Orleans Saints.[10] Overall, Gage finished the 2019 season with 49 receptions for 446 receiving yards (fourth on the team behind Calvin Ridley, and pro-bowl-bound Julio Jones and Austin Hooper) and one receiving touchdown.[11]

With Jones injured for seven games and the departure of Hooper, in 2020 Gage became the second leading receiver for the 4–12 Falcons.[12] Gage's breakthrough game came in the home opener of September 13, a loss to the Seattle Seahawks where he had 114 receiving yards on nine receptions.[13] In the following week's game against the Dallas Cowboys, Gage caught six passes for 46 yards and another touchdown during the 40–39 loss.[14] In Week 14, against the Los Angeles Chargers, he threw a 39-yard touchdown reception to Calvin Ridley in the 20–17 loss.[15] Gage finished the 2020 season with 72 receptions for 786 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.[16]

The 2021 season was highlighted by 11 receptions for 130 yards in a 17–30 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 13, and catching 9 of 13 targets for 126 yards and a touchdown in a Week 18 loss to the New Orleans Saints.[17][18] The touchdown was both Gage's and quarterback Matt Ryan's last touchdowns as Atlanta Falcons. Gage missed two games due to injuries, but still was the Falcons' second leading receiver, behind rookie pro-bowler Kyle Pitts.[19] Gage finished the 2021 season with 66 receptions for 770 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns in 14 games.[20]

On March 18, 2022, Gage signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[21] Gage spent five weeks on injured reserve. He had a career-best 12 receptions (for 87 yards and a touchdown) in a Week 3 loss to the Green Bay Packers.[22] He had his first career multi-touchdown game in a Week 14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.[23] Gage finished the 2022 season with 51 receptions for 426 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns in 13 games.[24]

On January 16, 2023, Gage suffered a neck injury during a Wild Card Round playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys and was carted off the field.[25] It was confirmed after the game by Todd Bowles that Gage had suffered a concussion from the contact and was being evaluated in a local hospital.[26][27][28] The following morning, it was confirmed by the team that Gage "had movement in all extremities"[29] and would remain hospitalized with more testing planned.[30] By Tuesday afternoon, it was reported by Bowles that Gage was planned to be released from the hospital by the end of the day.[31]

In 2023 during training camp, Gage suffered a torn patellar tendon and was placed on injured reserve on August 21, 2023.[32]