Russell Gage

Player News

• Falcons' Russell Gage: Expected to secure No. 3 WR role

  17D ago •

  Gage is the favorite to serve as Atlanta's No. 3 option at wide receiver during 2020, Matthew Tabeek of the Falcons' official site reports. The offseason arrival of 2016 first-round draft choice Laquon Treadwell provides some competition to Gage, but the 24-year-old seems to be coming into his own, and he will be difficult for the newcomer Treadwell to supplant. Gage recorded five or more receptions over five of his final six outings to wrap up 2019, proving himself capable of replacing Mohamed Sanu, who'd been traded to the Patriots. If able to fend off Treadwell for the job during training camp, Gage will have an opportunity to build upon the strong second half he put forth as an NFL sophomore while working behind Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley as the third option at wide receiver.

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• Falcons' Russell Gage: Beneficiary of draft weekend

  04/26/2020 •

  Gage remains well-positioned to serve as the Falcons' slot receiver after Atlanta went without drafting a single wideout during the 2020 NFL Draft, Mike Clay of ESPN.com reports. As Clay noted, during weeks in which both Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones were active last season, Gage saw his target share vault to 16 percent after Mohamed Sanu's Oct. 22 trade to New England. As the No. 4 option at receiver Weeks 1 through 7, Gage accounted for just four combined catches and 44 yards, but from Week 8 to the end of the regular season, he averaged a respectable five catches and 44.7 yards per game. His involvement transferred from obsolete to significant as a result of Sanu's departure, and in the interim, nothing has changed at the position group that would stymie Gage's progression. He appears to be the No. 3 option at receiver for an offense that last year ranked behind only Tampa Bay and Dallas in passing yards per game (294.6).

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• Falcons' Russell Gage: Ties Jones for team high in targets

  12/30/2019 •

  Gage caught seven of 13 targets for 68 yards during Sunday's 28-22 overtime win against Tampa Bay. The second-year wideout from LSU turned it on over the late stages of 2019, racking up five-plus receptions in five of his final six outings to close out the year. Gage's role within Atlanta's offense increased substantially with the trade of Mohamed Sanu to New England on Oct. 22, as Gage averaged 7.3 targets per game between Weeks 8 and 17 after garnering just eight total targets across his first six appearances. With Calvin Ridley (abdomen) expected to be recovered well in time for OTAs, Gage is expected to enter 2020 as the Falcons' No. 3 option at wide receiver so long as a newly acquired player does not supersede him on the depth chart.

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• Falcons' Russell Gage: Solid Week 16 showing against Jags

  12/22/2019 •

  Gage hauled in five of six targets for 49 yards and ran for seven yards on two carries during Sunday's 24-12 win against Jacksonville. The second-year man out of LSU has been a steady contributor in Atlanta's passing game over the past month, as he has amassed at least five receptions in four of five appearances since Week 12. Gage has been efficient with opportunities granted during that span, establishing an impressive 71.4 percent catch rate with 46.8 scrimmage yards per game. He'll continue to be a secondary option for Matt Ryan when the Falcons take on a Buccaneers defense Week 17 that ranks 32nd in the NFL in both receptions (222) and receiving yards (2,970) allowed to opposing wideouts.

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• Falcons' Russell Gage: More work on tap

  12/09/2019 •

  Gage is in line for increased usage with Calvin Ridley (abdomen) expected to miss the rest of the season, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports. Since Mohamed Sanu was dealt to the Patriots in late October, Gage has manned the slot for the Falcons, racking up 41 targets over the last six games. Gage's peripheral numbers (9.2 YPC and 6.3 YPT) are appropriate for a receiver that doesn't make an impact outside of short- and medium-range throws from Matt Ryan. Having said that, Gage is set to be an even bigger part of Atlanta's passing attack over the final three games of the campaign.

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