Russell Gage Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler confirms that Bucs WR Russell Gage will miss the entire 2023 season with the knee injury he suffered in Wednesday's practice. Gage was locked into Tampa's No. 3 WR job before this injury. The Bucs are now left with WRs Trey Palmer, Deven Thompkins, David Moore, and Rakim Jarrett to battle for that job. Palmer is an intriguing rookie and might be worth a look near the very end of best-ball drafts. Gage's injury should mean extra targets for WR Chris Godwin, WR Mike Evans, RB Rachaad White, and TE Cade Otton. We've adjusted all the Bucs in the 2023 fantasy football rankings.

Update: Gage suffered a ruptured right patellar tendon.

Buccaneers WR Russell Gage suffered a non-contact knee injury in Wednesday's joint practice with the Jets and needed to be carted off. NFL Network reports that "the belief heading into exams is that the severe injury will end his season." That's an especially big blow to Gage, who dealt with hamstring issues throughout last year, his first in Tampa Bay. We don't see much fantasy impact, though. Gage was set to be no more than the WR3 in what we expect to be a lackluster passing offense. His injury could mean more time in the slot for Chris Godwin. Deven Thompkins and rookie Trey Palmer look like candidates for the No. 3 WR role.

Bucs WR Russell Gage returned to practice on Sunday. He missed the team's first three sessions with a leg injury, per reporter Greg Auman. The veteran is just a late-round flier in fantasy drafts.

Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles told reporters Tuesday morning that WR Russell Gage has a "little bit ways to go" to be healthy enough for training-camp practices. Gage likely has more missed practice days than receptions since joining Tampa Bay last offseason. Fortunately, he sits at the very end of drafts in ADP -- when he gets selected at all. Don't expect Gage to be an impactful fantasy asset for 2023.

The Buccaneers have reached a one-year, $8.5 million deal with QB Baker Mayfield, according to multiple reports. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport had previously talked about the Bucs bringing in Mayfield to compete with former second-round pick Kyle Trask for the starting job. We'd bet on Mayfield winning that competition. But the contract shows that they're not banking on him as a starter. Taylor Heinicke, for example, got a two-year contract worth up to $10 million a year from the Falcons. Mayfield played his way out of Carolina after his Cleveland exit. He gained some praise for the brief Rams stint but compiled just 6.6 yards per pass attempt and a 3.1% TD rate there. Mayfield is far from a lock for any meaningful production going forward. But he's interesting as a QB3 pick late in best ball drafts right now, especially when paired with Tampa Bay WRs Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, or Russell Gage. Gage has been going especially late. So you can potentially pair him with Mayfield using just your final two picks. Not much risk at that point.

The Bucs are hiring Dave Canales as their new OC. The 41-year-old has spent the past 13 seasons working under Pete Carroll, first at USC and then with Seattle. Canales most recently served as Seahawks QBs coach, helping QB Geno Smith to a career year. But Canales' only experience as an offensive coordinator came at Carson High School in California in 2004 and 2005. He's a total wild card as we start to project what this Bucs offense will look like in 2023. We're also, of course, still waiting to see what Tampa does at QB. Kyle Trask is the only QB currently on the roster.

Bucs WR Russell Gage sustained a concussion in Monday night's Wild Card loss to the Cowboys but avoided any other damage and will be released from the hospital this afternoon, HC Todd Bowles said. "His neck is fine and right now he has all his extremities moving," Bowles added. This is Gage's 3rd documented concussion, but it sounds like he'll be ready for the start of the offseason program. Gage had a disappointing debut season with the Bucs, finishing with a 51-426-5 line across 13 games. He's set to count a little more than $12 million against the 2023 cap but carries a $9.3 million dead cap number, so he figures to be back in Tampa Bay for at least 1 more year.

Buccaneers WR Julio Jones (knee) is active for tonight's game against the Cardinals. He remained limited in practice all week after missing last Sunday's loss to the Bengals. Jones is tough to bet on for fantasy football lineups. His return challenges the role of WR Russell Gage, who led the Bucs in targets last week and scored twice.

Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin hauled in all 8 of his targets for 83 yards and a score in Sunday's loss vs. the Bengals. While Godwin and company did not emerge victorious, the Bucs' WR corps had three players reach double-digit PPR points. Mike Evans posted a respectable 83 yards, bringing in only 5 of his 10 receptions, and Russell Gage exploded with a pair of TDs to go along with 8 catches and 59 yards. While it's difficult to tell week-to-week if Gage can be trusted, managers advancing in the fantasy playoffs can feel confident in both Godwin and Evans against the Cardinals in Week 16 despite the difficult matchup. Both are WR1 options vs. the Cardinals.

Bucs WR Julio Jones (knee) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Bengals. That figures to leave Russell Gage as Tampa’s #3 WR, but he’d be a desperation fantasy play.

Bucs WR Julio Jones (knee) is not expected to play vs. the Bengals later today, although a final decision might not come until pregame warmups, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Jones obviously shouldn't be in fantasy lineups. Jones' absence figures to leave Russell Gage as Tampa’s #3 WR, but he’d be a desperation fantasy play.

Bucs WR Russell Gage (hamstring) is active for tonight's game vs. the Saints. It's his 1st action since Week 7. Gage averaged an underwhelming 5.7 targets, 4.1 catches and 33 yards over the first 7 games of the season. We're expecting him to operate as Tampa's #4 WR tonight behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Julio Jones.

Bucs WR Russell Gage (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Monday night's game vs. the Saints. He was a full-go in Saturday's practice, so he seemingly has a good chance to return for this one. Gage has been out since Week 7 and shouldn't be in your fantasy plans. But his return adds downside to WR Julio Jones' fantasy profile.

Bucs WR Russell Gage (hamstring) was limited in Thursday's practice. We'll see if he can make it back for Monday night's game vs. the Saints, which would be his first action since Week 7. Gage won't be a bankable fantasy play if he does suit up against New Orleans.

Bucs WR Russell Gage (hamstring) is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Browns. He remained sidelined all week and has no timetable for return. Julio Jones will continue to operate as Tampa’s #3 WR behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

Bucs WR Russell Gage (hamstring) did not make the trip to Germany and is out for Sunday morning's game vs. the Seahawks. Scotty Miller finished 3rd among Bucs WRs with a 52% route rate last week; Julio Jones was 4th at 35%. Chris Godwin and Mike Evans remain the only bankable fantasy plays in this WR corps.