Russell Gage Injury: Falcons Ex Out for Bucs Season

"Probably something that happened pretty bad," Bucs coach Todd Bowles said of what is a season-ending injury to Falcons ex receiver Russell Gage. "Our hearts go out to him."

Russell Gage, the former Atlanta Falcons receiver now with the Tampa Bay Bucs, will miss the entirety of the 2023 NFL season with a knee injury sustained at Wednesday's joint practice against the New York Jets.

Gage, a sixth-round pick of the Falcons in the 2018 NFL Draft, was carted off the Jets practice field and was reportedly in tears as he was leaving the field.

"We hear it's going to be pretty serious, and I'll wait to hear the final results," Bucs coach Todd Bowles said after the practice.

Gage's injury occurred during a non-contact portion of the workout, during 7-on-7 drills.

"I can tell by the way that he was sitting on the truck that it was probably something that happened pretty bad," Bowles said. "Our hearts go out to him ..."

Gage caught 51 passes for 426 yards and a career-high five touchdowns in 13 games last season, his first with the Bucs after leaving the Falcons via free agency to sign with the NFC South rivals.

Gage - who left the Buccaneers' recent Wild Card loss against the Dallas Cowboys on a stretcher with a concussion - is listed as a starter on Tampa Bay's depth chart, alongside Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. During his time in Atlanta, especially in his last two years, he was productive, averaging 69 catches and four touchdowns per season during that span.

---

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Falcons? Click Here.

Follow Falcon Report on Twitter.

Want even more Atlanta Falcons news? Check out the SI.com team page here