Russell Gage

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• Falcons' Russell Gage: Looking strong in minicamp

  06/14/2019 • By RotoWire Staff

  Head coach Dan Quinn said that Gage's ability to contribute on both offense and special teams makes him "more valuable" heading into the 2019 season, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports. Gage suited up for 15 games during his rookie season, with 82 percent of his 340 total snaps coming on special teams. Coach Quinn complimenting Gage's versatility is an encouraging sign, but rookie Marcus Green (hamstring) could push him for a Week 1 roster spot if the team elects to keep less than six receivers. The top four slots in the receiving corps are locked down between Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Mohamed Sanu and Justin Hardy, with Gage and Green being the most likely candidates to serve as the No. 5 option and a key special teams contributor.

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• Falcons' Russell Gage: Two receptions in season finale

  01/02/2019 • By RotoWire Staff

  Gage hauled in both of his targets, collecting 14 receiving yards during Sunday's 34-32 win against Tampa Bay. The versatile rookie out of LSU failed to impress as a pass catcher, with just six receptions for 63 yards across 15 games. He did, however, make his presence felt on special teams where he played gunner for a Falcons unit that allowed 6.8 yards per punt return in 2018, the eighth-best mark in the NFL. In his sophomore campaign, Gage will continue to be a factor on special teams, though he's unlikely to see much involvement on offense with the Falcons' three best wideouts -- Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu and Calvin Ridley -- all set to return.

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• Falcons' Russell Gage: First career multi-catch outing

  12/17/2018 • By RotoWire Staff

  Gage caught two of four targets, collecting 33 receiving yards during Sunday's 40-14 win against the Cardinals. The sixth-round draft choice out of LSU has three receptions for 40 yards over his past three games, compared to one catch for nine yards through Week 12. Gage has been scarcely deployed as a receiver this year, with 219 of his 238 snaps coming on special teams entering Sunday. But with the team now mathematically eliminated from the playoff race, Atlanta may elect to provide young backups like Gage with some valuable regular-season reps in what has been a lost 2018. In Week 16, he'll look to build on newfound momentum against a Panthers defense that's allowed 179.2 receiving yards per game to opposing wideouts this season, the fourth-highest rate in the NFL.

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• Falcons' Russell Gage: One catch in loss to Baltimore

  12/05/2018 • By RotoWire Staff

  Gage reeled in his lone target for a gain of seven yards during Sunday's 26-16 loss to the Ravens. The rookie sixth-round draft choice is a project, but Atlanta hopes that with enough coaching and repetition, the former collegiate defensive back can transform into a viable contributor on special teams coverage, with occasional spot duty as a slot receiver. If there's any single demonstration of the Falcons' intentions for him, it's that 201 of his 214 snaps this season have come on special teams. With limited offensive opportunity, Gage has caught both of his targets, logging 16 receiving yards on the year. If he is involved in the passing game Sunday at the Packers, there's a chance he registers his first career touchdown -- going up against a defense that's allowed 17 wide receiver scores in 2018 (fourth-most).

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• Falcons' Russell Gage: Catches first career pass

  10/17/2018 • By RotoWire Staff

  Gage caught his first career pass during Sunday's 34-29 win over Tampa Bay, a 9-yard gain. Gage's grab off a quick pass helped set up a fourth-quarter touchdown run for Tevin Coleman. A knee injury kept the rookie out of the lineup earlier this season, and with Atlanta's depth at receiver, it seems unlikely that he'll get many opportunities to contribute. Even if he was given more chances, Monday's matchup with the Giants' 12th-ranked pass defense figures to offer challenges.

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