Bucs Gameday

Buccaneers' Starting Wide Receiver Back Participating In Training Camp After Injury

This is probably a good sign moving forward for Tampa Bay.

Dustin Lewis

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The majority of Tampa Bay's roster entered training camp relatively healthy outside of a couple of players who have been limited early on. The list of Buccaneers working to get back to full strength includes veteran wide receiver Russell Gage, who was held to a career-low 13 appearances last season while dealing with a rash of injuries.

READ MORE: Bucs First-Round Pick Carted Off Field During Training Camp

Head coach Todd Bowles revealed on Wednesday that Gage is dealing with a leg injury.

"It's a lower extremity injury – it's a leg injury. He'll be fine," Bowles said on Wednesday. "We're counting on him. He'll be back and he's working to get back."

The Buccaneers put the pads on for the first time on Sunday with the team donning shells. Early in practice, Gage was spotted going through individual drills with the wide receivers while wearing a helmet and shoulder pads.

Gage didn't appear to be limited by the lower-body injury that he is dealing with. He was able to make cuts and didn't show any notable restrictions. This is probably a good sign for the team moving into the remainder of camp.

It won't be surprising if the Buccaneers continue to bring Gage along slowly. He's an important piece in the wide receiver room alongside Mike Evans and Chris Godwin who will be crucial in making life a little easier for Tampa Bay's new starting quarterback in 2023.

Gage signed a three-year/$30-million deal with the Buccaneers last year. A lower-body injury in October forced him onto Injured Reserve for five weeks. Gage also went down in consecutive weeks to conclude the season after suffering an injury in the regular season-finale against Atlanta and being carted off in the Wild Card loss against the Cowboys.

The newly minted No. 3 caught 51 passes for 426 yards and a career-best five touchdown catches. Tampa Bay is hoping Gage will make an even bigger impact this upcoming season as he gets closer to 100%.

READ MORE: Todd Bowles Provides Injury Update On Buccaneers' Starting Wide Receiver

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Dustin Lewis
DUSTIN LEWIS

Lewis joined BucsGameday when it was founded in 2022. He's also the Editor-In-Chief of NoleGameday. A graduate of Florida State, Lewis has worked for NG since 2016.