Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles on Friday highlighted WR Russell Gage as a consistently strong performer so far in training camp. "Gage has really been the one to stand out," he said, according to Greg Auman of The Athletic. The report also mentions WRs Tyler Johnson and Jaelon Darden as early leaders in competition for what might be the final 2 spots on the depth chart. Gage is locked into the top 4 with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Julio Jones. We'll continue watching camp reports and preseason signals for specific roles within 1 of the league's top pass offenses.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Buccaneers are signing WR Julio Jones to a 1-year deal. He joins a WR corps that added Russell Gage on a 3-year deal in free agency and is not putting Chris Godwin on the PUP to open training camp. We'll see about Godwin's status through camp and preseason. We'll also see how the team plans to sort out a crowded WR depth chart. The Jones signing is clearly bad news for the 2022 outlooks on players such as Tyler Johnson, Cyril Grayson, Jaelon Darden, Breshad Perriman and Scotty Miller.

New Buccaneers WR Russell Gage has missed OTAs and minicamp will dealing with an injury that Pewter Report describes as "minor" and "unknown." QB Tom Brady says the team needs him to get on the field as soon as possible. “[He needs] a lot of work,” Brady said Thursday. “He has to have a big year. We signed him to a contract and he has to come in and do a great job. From the time I spent with him, I really enjoyed it. He’s got a great opportunity. That is very important role." Gage faces enviable opportunity, especially with WR Chris Godwin coming off a December ACL tear. We'll monitor the injury situation but don't expect it to affect his training-camp readiness. Gage reportedly has gotten some pre-practice work in with Brady already.

Joey Knight of The Tampa Bay Times writes that WR Russell Gage could enter Week 1 with a “prominent role.” It’s a reminder that Chris Godwin — who tore his ACL in December — might miss the early portion of next season. Gage has quietly pulled in 138 receptions across 2020-2021 (30 games).

Former Falcons WR Russell Gage is expected to sign with the Buccaneers, according to multiple reports. That ensures Atlanta will lose its 2nd leading receiving from last year and likely delivers Tampa Bay's new slot man. Gage went from running out of the slot on two-thirds of his routes each of the previous 2 seasons to just half the time last year. WR Chris Godwin, meanwhile, has seen his slot rate grow every season. According to Pro Football Focus, he spent 70% of pass snaps in the slot last year. So we'll see whether the Gage signing pushes Godwin back outside or injects Gage into Antonio Brown's spot (about 21% slot). That could depend, in part, on whether Godwin's torn ACL allows him to start the 2022 season on time. Either way, Gage's arrival challenges the target-share ceilings for Godwin and Mike Evans vs. what they might have been with Brown gone and a lesser replacement.

Update: ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that it's a 3-year, $30 million deal with $20 million guaranteed.

Falcons WR Calvin Ridley is INACTIVE for today's game vs. the Panthers due to a personal matter. He also missed Week 5 for the same reason. Ridley's absence leaves Atlanta with WRs Russell Gage, Olamide Zaccheaus and Tajae Sharpe atop the depth chart. TE Kyle Pitts and RB Cordarrelle Patterson should also play even bigger roles in the passing game.

Falcons WR Russell Gage (ankle) put in a full week of practice and isn’t listed on the final injury report. He’ll be back for Sunday’s game vs. the Dolphins but would be a desperation fantasy play.

Falcons WR Calvin Ridley did not travel with the team to London and is out for Sunday's game vs. the Jets due to a personal matter, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. We'll look for more info on the situation and whether Ridley will be out beyond Week 5. WR Russell Gage (ankle) is also out for Sunday's game, leaving Atlanta with WRs Olamide Zaccheaus, Tajae Sharpe and Christian Blake. We wouldn't mess with them in fantasy lineups. RB Cordarrelle Patterson will continue to play a big role in this passing game. And TE Kyle Pitts should see more volume with Ridley out.

Falcons WR Russell Gage (ankle) is out for Sunday’s game vs. Washington. Olamide Zaccheaus stepped in as Atlanta’s #2 WR with Gage out last week, catching 3 of 6 targets for 32 yards and a TD. He’s still not much of a Week 4 fantasy option.

Falcons WR Russell Gage (ankle) is out for Sunday's game against the Giants. That leaves Olamide Zaccheaus, Christian Blake and Tajae Sharp as Atlanta's 2nd through 4th WRs. None of those guys are viable fantasy options. Gage's absence should just mean a few extra targets for WR Calvin Ridley and TE Kyle Pitts.

Falcons WR Russell Gage suffered an ankle injury in Sunday's loss to the Bucs and is considered "week to week," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "The team will see on Friday if he can possibly go this week vs the Giants, though it appears as a bit of a long-shot at first glance." Gage has just 5 catches on 9 targets for 28 yards through 2 games, so hopefully he wasn't part of your Week 3 plans.

Falcons WR Russell Gage suffered a knee injury in the 1st half of Sunday's game against the Lions and is officially questionable to return. We'll update his status when we learn more.

Update: Gage returned for the 2nd half.

The Falcons have been cleared to re-open their facility after no positive COVID results from Thursday's round of testing, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. The Atlanta-Minnesota game remains on for Sunday as of now. We'll let you know if that changes.

Falcons WR Russell Gage (concussion) put in a full practice on Friday. Barring a setback, he's on track to play against the Packers on Monday night. Gage's fantasy value will depend on whether Julio Jones and/or Calvin Ridley suit up.

Falcons WR Russell Gage (concussion) put in a limited practice on Thursday. That means he's made some progress through the protocol. We'll see if Gage can get full clearance ahead of Monday night's game against the Packers.