Tag: Russell Gage

Minnesota Vikings linked to wide receiver in 2025 free agency

Despite wide receiver Jalen Nailor playing well in 2024, Bleacher Report has linked the Vikings to Tyler Boyd in 2025 NFL free agency.

One of the more publicized supposed weaknesses for the Minnesota Vikings heading into the 2024 season was their situation at the third wide receiver spot. Many thought the Vikings had a big hole in their roster at the position and needed to upgrade. The Vikings’ front office thought otherwise and trusted what they had in-house with wide receiver Jalen Nailor.

Through the first three games of the season, Nailor has performed well in his position, giving the Vikings seven receptions on nine targets and turning those seven catches into 106 yards and three touchdowns. Combine that with the added receiving element out of the backfield with Aaron Jones, and the Vikings passing attack has worked well through three games — despite the absence of tight end T.J. Hockenson all season and wide receiver Jordan Addison for two games.

While Nailor has performed admirably as the team’s third option, that hasn’t stopped NFL analysts from speculating on what the Vikings may do at the position for the rest of 2024 and into 2025. Last week, the Bleacher Report Scouting Department suggested the Vikings should sign former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage to boost the core group and give them another option at WR3.

This week, the team at Bleacher Report has doubled down on their opinion that the Vikings need to get better at WR3. While they aren’t suggesting the Vikings make a move immediately this week, they have linked the Vikings to former Cincinnati Bengals and current Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Boyd.

The Bleacher report argues that Boyd would be a “perfect fit” in the WR3 spot for the Vikings, as that was his primary responsibility for the Cincinnati Bengals in a wide receivers room with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Boyd has consistently been one of the better tertiary options in the league, putting up over 2,200 yards and seven touchdowns during his three seasons as the Bengals’ third option.

Boyd hasn’t gotten off to a great start with his new team, Tennessee, in an increased role. He has only gotten eight passes for 77 yards through three games with the Titans. Minnesota and their fans may not see WR3 as a need going forward, but it’s clear that the media perception begs to differ.

Vikings linked to five-year NFL veteran to boost WR room

With the status of wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in question, Bleacher Report suggest the Vikings sign a veteran.

The Minnesota Vikings are one of the surprise teams of the 2024 season. Not many expected the Vikings to be sitting at 2-0 after an early-season tilt against the San Francisco 49ers. Perhaps just as surprising, quarterback Sam Darnold has been playing well in the early portions of the season, even leading some to wonder if the Vikings should give him another season as the bridge to eventual starter J.J. McCarthy.

For as well as Darnold has played so far this season, that could come crashing down this week as the Vikings prepare to face the Houston Texans with the very real possibility that their wide receiver corps — typically a strength of the team — is severely diminished.

All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson suffered a quad injury in last week’s game against the 49ers. While it doesn’t appear that Jefferson suffered a serious injury, he was limited in Wednesday’s practice. Jefferson wants to play, but even if he is able to go Sunday against the Texans, he’s unlikely to be at full strength.

On the other hand, wide receiver Jordan Addison is dealing with injuries of his own, this time in the form of an ankle injury. Addison was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday’s practice and is likely questionable to go against the Texans. That leaves the Vikings with some real questions at the position, not only for this week against Houston but going forward as well, as both injuries can tend to linger.

While Minnesota may be content to wait out the injuries and see how they progress, the Bleacher Report team suggests they should be a little more aggressive in addressing the wide receiver room. In their weekly column outlining team needs heading into the week and how teams can address them, the Bleacher Report Scouting Department suggests the Vikings sign veteran wide receiver Russell Gage.

Gage, a five-year veteran, is still just 28-years-old but has not played in the league since starting four games in the 2022 season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That season, Gage caught 51 passes for 426 yards and five touchdowns.

During his most productive stretch, Gage was good for over 700 yards in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. Provided that he’s in shape, Gage could provide the team with a solid receiving option should they need one in place of Jefferson or Addison and could likely compete for the team’s third option when those two are healthy.

Ravens roster cuts: Tracking the path to 53 players

With Tuesday’s deadline fast approaching, we’re tracking the roster cuts one player at a time.

The Ravens and 31 other teams have begun the painstaking process of trimming their training camp rosters from 90 players to the NFL’s required 53 ahead of Week 1.

Baltimore is a loaded team with Super Bowl aspirations, meaning there aren’t many available roster spots, and few of the players on the bubble will make the cut. The Ravens have decisions to make at the reserve running back and backup offensive line positions, among others.

With Tuesday’s deadline fast approaching, we’re tracking the roster cuts one player at a time.

Baltimore waived the undrafted rookie on Monday.

Washington was waived via an injury settlement.

Signed before the start of training, Gage has been released.

Sharp signed with Baltimore after the draft.

The former Oklahoma and Tulsa offensive tackle signed with Baltimore as an undrafted free agent.

The former Georgia defensive end signed with Baltimore after the NFL draft.

Ravens release WR Russell Gage ahead of 53-man roster cutdown

Baltimore Ravens release WR Russell Gage ahead of 53-man roster cutdown

Russell Gage’s comeback story must come with a new team, as the former Buccaneers and Falcons wide receiver has been released ahead of Tuesday’s roster cutdown.

Gage signed a three-year, $30 million contract in March 2022 but only played 13 regular-season games in two years with the Buccaneers. He missed the entire 2023 season after suffering a torn patellar tendon last August.

Gage has 244 career receptions, 2,491 yards, and 14 touchdowns. During the 2022 season for the Buccaneers, he logged 51 catches, 426 yards, and five touchdowns.

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Former LSU receiver discusses opportunity with New Orleans Saints

Former LSU receiver Russell Gage is trying to prove there’s still something left after working out with the New Orleans Saints.

Former LSU wide receiver and NFL free agent [autotag]Russell Gage[/autotag] was given an opportunity to work out with his home state NFL team, the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints hosted Gage along with four others for tryouts at mini-camp. Former LSU and Tulane left tackle [autotag]Cameron Wire[/autotag] was a member of the group, too.

Gage is trying to work his way back after suffering a torn patellar tendon during the Bucs‘ 2023 training camp. He ended up on injured reserve and missed the entire season.

Gage spent six combined seasons with the Falcons and Bucs, including the one he missed in 2023. In that time, he proved to be a reliable presence in the receiving corps and on special teams.

In 2020 with the Falcons, Gage caught 72 passes for 786 yards and four touchdowns. The next year, he averaged 11.7 yards per catch with 770 total yards.

His career numbers are 344 catches, 2,491 yards, and 14 touchdowns. Now, Gage is trying to prove there’s still something left in the tank. If the Saints believe there is, New Orleans would mark his third stop in the NFC South.

Gage played at LSU from 2014-18. In his time with the Tigers, he caught 26 passes for 347 yards and four touchdowns while carrying the ball 28 times for 232 yards and a touchdown.

Those numbers don’t always earn an NFL opportunity, but they don’t tell the full story of Gage’s time at LSU. He was a receiver in a run-heavy offense and wasn’t given much of a chance until [autotag]Ed Orgeron[/autotag] took over in the middle of the 2016 season.

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Bucs move on from WR Russell Gage

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have declined their 2024 team option on wide receiver Russell Gage, making him a free agent

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have declined their team option on wide receiver Russell Gage for the 2024 season, making him a free agent, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports.

Gage signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Bucs back in 2022, but injuries kept him from making much of an impact over the first two years of the deal.

Both sides reworked the deal last offseason, giving the team an option for the 2024 season. Tampa Bay saves $10 million in salary, but part of that will be offset by $3.5 million in dead money from previous contract restructures, as Auman points out.

This move creates additional cap space for the Bucs, and with the return of Mike Evans and the emergence of Trey Palmer as the team’s third receiver, makes plenty of sense.

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WR Russell Gage listed as cut candidate for Buccaneers

Pro Football Focus’ list of cut candidates across the league included Gage, who joined the Bucs in 2022.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Russell Gage didn’t see any playing action in 2023 after suffering a torn patellar tendon in training camp, and it’s unfortunately possible that he won’t get a chance to make up for it in Tampa Bay for 2024.

Pro Football Focus released a list of cut candidates for each NFL team heading into the offseason, and writer Brad Spielberger chose Gage as one for the Bucs. He discussed Gage’s injury history and the work Tampa Bay has to do in the offseason with other free agents as a potential reason:

“Gage was unable to stay healthy during his time in Tampa, and the Buccaneers may have to pay up big time to retain franchise legend Mike Evans. Even if not, rookie Trey Palmer developed into a solid option in the passing game and Tampa Bay will need to reorganize its books with major paydays looming for Baker Mayfield, Antoine Winfield and Tristan Wirfs.”

It is true that Gage has struggled with injury in Tampa Bay. He missed all of 2023 with that patellar tendon injury, but he also missed three games in 2022 due to injury as well. While Gage was a solid wide receiver coming out of Atlanta, his troubles staying on the field could result in his departure with a post-June 1 cut in the offseason.

Should the Bucs indeed cut Gage post-June 1 as mentioned, they’d save $10 million on the salary cap for 2024 per Over the Cap — a big opening. If they were to do it before June 1, they’d save $6,448,000 and take on over double the dead money.

Edge rusher Shaquil Barrett is another possible cap casualty. Cutting him post-June 1 would result in saving $4,923,882 for the 2024 salary cap, opening up room as well.

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Baker Mayfield claps back at Lions DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson: “He’s gotta do a little more film study”

Baker Mayfield clapped back at Lions DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson when Gardner-Johnson questioned Mayfield’s place in the Bucs’ passing game.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will travel to the Motor City to play the Detroit Lions in the divisional round of the playoffs on Sunday. The two teams previously played in Week 6 of the 2023 regular season — it was a 20-6 win for the Lions, and Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield did not play particularly well. Mayfield completed 19 of 37 passes for 206 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 56.8. Probably his worst game of the season. He was frequently speeding up in the pocket whether he was hurried or not. He didn’t throw with good base fundamentals, and he threw off-platform more than he needed to, which led to a lot of incompletions against tight coverage.

Maybe that’s why at least one Lions defender might be a bit overconfident right now. Defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson recently had this to say about Tampa Bay’s passing game.

“If you give that Tampa group a good quarterback, that’s a good group — [Mike] Evans, [Chris] Godwin, [Russell] Gage, that’s a great group. I played against ‘em for a year. [Rams receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua) probably right rank there as one of the best groups, [as a] combo, with the running back. That’s hard. One-two punch with the running back, it’s going to give us a run for our money. Gotta be smarter than we normally are and be more quick and decisive with the calls.”

Well, that was certainly a veiled shot at Mayfield, and Mayfield didn’t waste much time forming a response. Gage, by the way, missed the entire regular season after suffering a torn patellar tendon during a joint practice with the New York Jets last August.

“[Gardner-Johnson] must be going off preseason stuff that the media was talking about,” Mayfield said. “He didn’t play our first game so I’m excited to see him. I think he’s a really good player. He has been for a while. He’s been an impactful guy on every team he’s been on. … But yeah, he’s gotta do a little bit more film study.”

In Gage’s absence, sixth-round rookie Trey Palmer from Nebraska by way of LSU has become that important third man with Evans and Godwin, catching 40 passes on 68 targets for 440 yards and four touchdowns, including this  -yard scorcher against the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round.

Maybe the confusion has to do with Gardner-Johnson missing that Week 6 game — he suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, and didn’t play again until Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings. But that also does free up more time for film study…

Tampa WR Russell Gage injury opens the door for rookie Trey Palmer

Trey Palmer has been impressive since joining the Bucs and should be able to replace Russell Gage.

On Wednesday, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice. This is unfortunate for Gage as he was having a very strong camp and looked to be ready for a strong season. But Gage’s injury opens the door for Bucs rookie wide receiver Trey Palmer.

Tampa picked Palmer in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL draft and trust us when we say they got a steal. The knock on Palmer coming out of Nebraska was drops but the Bucs have seen none of that since he joined the team.

Palmer looked especially strong on Wednesday in a joint practice with the New York Jets. Palmer had maybe his best day of training camp and showed no fear going against Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner. One thing that has truly stood out with Palmer in the NFL has been his ability to get up to top speed in just a few steps and get past cornerbacks with ease.

The Bucs have Mike Evans and Chris Godwin on the outside but Palmer could move inside to the slot where Russell was lined up to play.

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Bucs injury update on Day 2 of OTAs

Here are the Bucs players currently hampered by injury as OTAs continue.

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It is Day 2 of the first set of OTAs for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and some players are dealing with injuries as the offseason is underway.

FOX Sports’ Greg Auman reported on the team’s injuries on Wednesday, from those who are at OTAs and not practicing to those who are not at OTAs due to their injuries.

Here are the players who are at OTAs, but not practicing due to injury:

  • RB Chase Edmonds
  • RB Sean Tucker
  • DB Duron Lowe
  • TE Dominque Dafney

And here are the players not at OTAs due to injury:

  • G Aaron Stinnie
  • WR Russell Gage

RB Chase Edmonds had an ankle injury last November that could still be keeping him out of OTAs, though his exact injury is unknown. RB Sean Tucker is still dealing with the issue that was flagged at the NFL Combine and is expected to be cleared for training camp. WR Russell Gage’s injury is a new development, as QB Baker Mayfield spoke about it on Tuesday, and Stinnie tore his ACL in the preseason in 2022, so it’s possible he could still be recovering from that — that isn’t confirmed, however.

Tampa Bay will certainly hope that these players will be ready by training camp, though it’s hard to give a timetable for a few of them since their injuries are undisclosed at the time.