Falcons on upswing under Smith, have cause for encouragement
The Atlanta Falcons have reason for encouragement in their bye weekOCTOBER 14, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
RUSSELL GAGE #84 - WIDE RECEIVER - SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
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Pitts' breakout game the difference in victory over Jets
A week after blowing an eight-point lead early in the fourth quarter, the Atlanta Falcons showed some backbone in a 27-20 victory over the New York JetsOCTOBER 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ryan, Pitts lead Falcons past Jets 27-20 in London
Matt Ryan threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns including the first NFL score for Kyle Pitts and the Atlanta Falcons held on and closed out the New York Jets in a 27-20 victory in...OCTOBER 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Falcons without starting S Erik Harris against Jets
The Atlanta Falcons will be without starting safety Erik Harris for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets in London because of a calf injuryOCTOBER 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
With Ridley out, Jets defense preps for Falcons rookie Pitts
Atlanta Falcons rookie Kyle Pitts is looking for his first touchdown, and the New York Jets want to keep it that wayOCTOBER 9, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Falcons injury report: Russell Gage, Marlon Davidson won't travel, ruled out vs. Jets Erik Harris misses practice, Avery Williams limited
OCTOBER 7, 2021 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM
Falcons top WR Ridley to miss Jets game for personal reasons
Atlanta Falcons leading receiver Calvin Ridley will not play in Sunday’s game against the New York Jets in London for personal reasonsOCTOBER 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Won't play Sunday Gage (ankle) won't travel to London for Sunday's game against the Jets.
Impact The same applies to fellow wide receiver Calvin Ridley (personal), which sets the stage for Olamide Zaccheaus and Tajae Sharpe to lead the Falcons' Week 5 WR corps, with Christian Blake and Frank Darby in reserve.
OCTOBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Falcons, Jets decline 'bowl-week' approach to London game
The Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets each chose to stay at their home practice sites this week before Sunday's game in LondonOCTOBER 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wilson, Jets face Ryan, Falcons in London clash of 1-3 teams
Rookie quarterback Zach Wilson and the New York Jets will look for their second straight win when they face Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons in LondonOCTOBER 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Not practicing Thursday Gage (ankle) wasn't present for the open portion of Thursday's practice and is expected to go down as a non-participant on the Falcons' official report, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.c...
Impact With back-to-back absences at practice to begin Week 5 prep, Gage is trending toward missing a third straight contest Sunday against the Jets. While Gage was out the past two weeks, Olamide Zaccheaus was the primary beneficiary for added reps at receiver, while Hayden Hurst also benefited with head coach Arthur Smith using more two tight end sets featuring Hurst and Kyle Pitts.
OCTOBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Misses practice again Gage (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
Impact He's in danger of missing a third straight game when the Falcons take on the Jets on Sunday. Olamide Zaccheaus has been filling in as the No. 2 receiver for Atlanta.
OCTOBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Falcons WR Gage (ankle) to miss 2nd straight game
Atlanta Falcons receiver Russell Gage will miss his second straight game with an ankle injuryOCTOBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ruled out again Gage (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Washington, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Though he hasn't been placed on injured reserve, Gage appears in danger of missing three or more games. He's now missed two in a row, and hasn't practice at all during that team. Last week, Olamide Zaccheaus filled in as Atlanta's No. 2 receiver, catching three of six targets for 32 yards and a TD while playing 69 percent of snaps in a win over the Giants.
OCTOBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Not yet back practicing Gage (ankle) didn't participate in Thursday's practice.
Impact After the ankle injury kept him from playing in the Week 3 win over the Giants, Gage remains a spectator as the Falcons prepare for Sunday's matchup with Washington. The slot receiver will likely need to turn in a full practice Friday to have a good shot at suiting up this weekend.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Still not practicing Gage (ankle) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice, Scott Bair of the Falcons' official site reports.
Impact Gage has had a disappointing start to the campaign, following up a catch-less season opener by injuring his ankle Week 2, when he hauled in five of seven passes for 28 yards. He likely will need to get on the practice field in some capacity to be considered a candidate to return to action. While Gage remains sidelined, Olamide Zaccheaus and Tajae Sharpe figure to have larger roles in the Falcons offense.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Matty Ice proves he's not done yet in leading late comeback
It wasn’t pretty for much of the afternoon but Matt Ryan proved he still has that magic touchSEPTEMBER 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Falcons' Gage, Terrell, Darby out with injuries vs Giants
The Atlanta Falcons will be without receiver Russell Gage and cornerback ASEPTEMBER 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ruled out for Week 3 Gage (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at the Giants, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Gage was injured during the Week 2 loss to Tampa and didn't practice at all this week. He's been targeted just nine times on 57 routes this year, catching five passes for 28 yards while playing 60.4 percent of snaps. Gage's absence should free up more playing time for Olamide Zaccheaus -- and possibly Christian Blake or Tajae Sharpe -- but none is likely to see a high volume of targets in a struggling Atlanta offense that has largely focused on Calvin Ridley, Kyle Pitts and the running backs so far.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Not spotted at Friday's practice Gage (ankle) wasn't seen during the early portions of Friday's practice, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Gage was unable to practice Wednesday and Thursday due to the ankle injury, and it appears he's headed for another absence Friday. The 25-year-old's availability for Sunday's matchup with the Giants remains a significant question mark.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
DNP on Thursday Gage (ankle) was held out of practice Thursday, Scott Bair of the Falcons' official site reports.
Impact Gage has yet to take the practice field this week as he tends to an ankle injury stemming from Week 2. Friday's session and subsequent injury report from the team will be telling for the fourth-year wide receiver's availability for Sunday road game against the Giants. If Gage is sidelined or limited this weekend, Olamide Zaccheaus, Tajae Sharpe and Christian Blake are on hand to fill in next to Calvin Ridley.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Misses another practice Gage (ankle) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice and is set to go down as a non-participant on the Falcons' official report, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitut...
Impact Gage's ankle injury also kept him from practicing Wednesday, so he'll likely need to get on the field in some capacity Friday to avoid being ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Giants. If Gage ends up sitting out the Week 3 matchup, Tajae Sharpe could be the next man up to step in as Atlanta's top option out of the slot.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
No practice reps Wednesday Gage (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.
Impact Head coach Arthur Smith told Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com earlier Wednesday that Gage will be quite limited this week due to the ankle injury he suffered Week 2 in Tampa Bay, but "there's always a chance" the wide receiver demonstrates enough progress to play Sunday against the Giants in New York. Meanwhile, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network termed Gage week-to-week due to the injury, with Friday appearing to be the day that he'll test out his ankle. If Gage requires an absence Week 3, he'll cede reps at wide receiver to Olamide Zaccheaus, Tajae Sharpe and Christian Blake next to the team's No. 1 target, Calvin Ridley.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Dealing with ankle issue Coach Arthur Smith noted Wednesday that Gage (ankle) would be very limited at practice this week, Matt Urben of the USA Today reports.
Impact At this stage, Gage looks pretty iffy for Sunday's game against the Giants. If he's unavailable this weekend, added Week 3 snaps/targets alongside Calvin Ridley would be available for Olamide Zaccheaus, Christian Blake and Tajae Sharpe.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Just 28 yards in Week 2 Gage caught five of seven targets for 28 yards in Sunday's 48-25 loss to Tampa Bay.
Impact Gage was in and out of the game due to an ankle injury, and the injury may have played a role in his inability to create separation downfield; his longest gain went for just eight yards. Atlanta's new No. 2 wide receiver following the offseason departure of Julio Jones has struggled to take advantage of his prominent role thus far, as quarterback Matt Ryan has spread the ball out to tight ends and running backs behind top wideout Calvin Ridley. Gage will look to put his slow start behind him on the road against the Giants in Week 3.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
