Raiders, Falcons both look to bounce back from losses
The Las Vegas Raiders will be looking to bounce back from a tough loss to the Super Bowl champion Chiefs when they travel to AtlantaNOVEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
RUSSELL GAGE #84 - WIDE RECEIVER - SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
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Watch: Falcons WR Russell Gage mic'd up in Week 11 loss Louisiana native, Russell Gage, was mic’d up for the Atlanta Falcons’ Week 11 contest against the New Orleans Saints.
NOVEMBER 25, 2020 • USATODAY.COM
Fantasy Waiver Wire: FAAB Report for Week 12 pickups, free agents Several RBs (Gus Edwards, Cam Akers), WRs (Michael Pittman Jr., Nelson Agholor, Russell Gage), and a QB (Derek Carr) are among the top Week...
NOVEMBER 24, 2020 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
Second-leading receiver in loss Gage caught seven of a team-high 12 targets for 58 receiving yards during Sunday's 24-9 loss to the Saints.
Impact With Julio Jones beleaguered by a hamstring issue from the second quarter on, missing a chunk of second-half action in the process, Gage reached the double-digit threshold in targets for the first time since Week 1. The LSU product started the season promisingly by recording 15 receptions for 160 yards and a touchdown Weeks 1 and 2, but entering Sunday he had averaged just 31.3 receiving yards per game with zero scores in seven appearances since. Gage has garnered six-plus targets in three of his past four games as the Falcons prepare to host Las Vegas in Week 12.
NOVEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Two catches in win over Broncos Gage secured two of his six targets for 11 receiving yards during Sunday's 34-27 win against Denver.
Impact Gage attracted six-plus targets for the second time in three weeks as Calvin Ridley (foot) sat Week 9 against the Broncos, though he was only able to convert a third of his looks into receptions. Atlanta boasts the third-most prolific passing offense in the NFL thus far in 2020, but Gage possesses just two outings of more than 26 receiving yards since Week 2. The emergence of Olamide Zaccheaus, who recorded four receptions, 103 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos, has potential to mitigate Gage's involvement as the second half of the regular season progresses.
NOVEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Cleared for Week 9 Gage (shoulder/knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Broncos, William McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.
Impact Gage closed out the week with a full practice, following limited sessions Wednesday and Thursday. The Falcons should have some targets up for grabs if Calvin Ridley (foot) isn't able to play, but Ridley's absence won't necessarily impact the slot-based Gage when it comes to playing time. Christian Blake replaced Ridley last week.
NOVEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Ridley held out of Falcons' practice with foot injury
Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley missed practice for the second straight day because of a foot injuryNOVEMBER 5, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Limited at practice Thursday Gage (shoulder/knee) was limited at Thursday's practice, Tori McElhaney of The Athletic reports
Impact Gage has contended with a number of injuries this season, including a concussion and the aforementioned shoulder and knee issues. He's still managed to play at least 50 percent of the snaps on offense in six of eight games, and he may be called upon for more this Sunday against the Broncos with Calvin Ridley unable to practice due to a mid-foot sprain. Having said that, Gage will need to get past his own injury first in order to do so.
NOVEMBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Puts in limited practice Gage was limited in practice Wednesday due to shoulder and knee injuries, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.
Impact Meanwhile, Calvin Ridley was unable to practice due to a mid-foot sprain suffered last Thursday at Carolina, a development that may open up some reps for Gage if the former is forced to miss some time. Since opening the season with 15 catches (on 21 targets) for 160 yards a touchdown between the first two games, Gage has only surpassed 50 receiving yards in four of the last six contests. Assuming he can get past his own health concerns, he'll look to get back on track Sunday against the Broncos.
NOVEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Quiet night in win over Panthers Gage reeled in two of his three targets for 25 receiving yards during Thursday's 25-17 win against Carolina.
Impact Gage had gotten on track Weeks 6 and 7 against Minnesota and Detroit by producing 10 combined receptions for 119 yards, but with a quiet performance Thursday night the third-year receiver has now been held under 30 receiving yards in four of his past six outings. Calvin Ridley (ankle) had to exit the divisional win midway through the second quarter due to injury, but thankfully X-rays have come back negative. If Ridley's subsequent MRI has a less favorable outcome, however, Gage would likely be in line for an enhanced workload Week 9 against the 2-4 Broncos.
OCTOBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Set to play Thursday Gage (knee) doesn't have a designation for Thursday's game in Carolina.
Impact Gage logged a limited offensive snap count (32 percent) during Sunday's loss to the Lions, marking the second time in seven contests in which he didn't earn at least 60 percent. Still, he made an impression in the box score, with six receptions (on seven targets) for 54 yards. Gage's practice reps were capped Monday through Wednesday due to a knee injury stemming from Week 7, so it remains to be seen if a similar fate awaits him Thursday.
OCTOBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Activity limited in practice Gage (knee) was a limited participant during Tuesday's practice, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.
Impact Gage's knee issue resulted in his activity being restricted for the second straight day, but the Falcons thus far haven't suggested that his availability for Thursday's game against the Panthers is in any peril. Though the injury played a part in Gage playing only 32 percent of the offensive snaps in the Falcons' Week 7 loss to the Lions, the slot specialist still managed six receptions for 54 yards on seven targets.
OCTOBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Listed as limited Gage (knee) was listed as limited on Monday's practice estimation, William McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.
Impact Gage left Sunday's 23-22 loss to the Lions for a spell but was able to return to action. In the process, he ended up hauling in six of his seven targets for 54 yards, while logging 24 of a possible 75 snaps on offense. We'll get a better idea of Gage's status for Thursday night's game against the Panthers once the Falcons take the practice field Tuesday.
OCTOBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Morris takes blame for unplanned TD in Falcons' latest loss
Interim coach Raheem Morris is trying to take blame away from running back Todd Gurley's unintended touchdown in the Atlanta Falcons' 23-22 loss to the Detroit LionsOCTOBER 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Another solid effort in Week 7 Gage caught six of his seven targets for 54 receiving yards during Sunday's 23-22 loss to Detroit.
Impact Julio Jones led the way for Atlanta with nine targets, but Gage landed in a three-place tie for second in that department alongside Calvin Ridley and Hayden Hurst. Gage managed just two receptions and 21.3 receiving yards per game Weeks 3 through 5, but he's rebounded over his past two appearances by producing 10 combined receptions for 119 yards. Operating within an Atlanta passing attack that has thrown the ball at least 36 times in every game this season, Gage remains a viable deep-league fantasy play as the No. 3 WR option. His Week 8 matchup is less than enticing, however, as he'll face a Panthers defense Thursday night that has surrendered the third-fewest receiving yards to opposing wideouts (795).
OCTOBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Lions stun Falcons 23-22 after letting Atlanta score late TD
Matthew Stafford connected with TOCTOBER 25, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Russell Gage reaches up for spectacular one-handed grab Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage reaches up for spectacular one-handed grab.
OCTOBER 25, 2020 • NFL.COM
Back in action Gage (knee) returned to Sunday's game against the Lions, Jeff Schultz of The Athletic reports.
Impact Gage suffered the knee injury on the first offensive drive but returned to action in the third quarter. He'll slot in as the No. 3 wide receiver behind Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley for the remainder of the game.
OCTOBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Heads to locker room Gage was forced out of Sunday's game versus the Lions with a knee injury, Jason Butt of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Impact Gage rolled up awkwardly on his own leg on the Falcons' first offensive drive, but he was able to walk under his own power to the locker room. Olamide Zaccheaus is expected to operate as the No. 3 wide receiver behind Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley for the time being.
OCTOBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Flashes potential in Sunday's win Gage corralled all four of his targets for 65 receiving yards during Sunday's 40-23 win against the Vikings.
Impact The third-year wideout produced 15 receptions, 160 receiving yards and a touchdown during the first two weeks of the season, but he fell into a slump over his subsequent three outings. Gage exited the Falcons' Week 3 loss because of a head injury after fielding just 12 offensive snaps, and he managed just four combined receptions for 38 yards in Week 4 and 5 outings against Green Bay and Carolina. The 24-year-old bounced back in a big way against Minnesota's injury-depleted secondary, logging the fourth-best receiving total of his 37-game career. Gage will next face a Detroit defense that held Jacksonville to 5.1 yards per pass attempt during a Week 6 win.
OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Jones returns to practice as Falcons prepare to face Vikings
Seven-time Pro Bowl receiver Julio Jones returned to practice as a limited participant and hopes to play Sunday when the Atlanta Falcons visit the Minnesota VikingsOCTOBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ready for Sunday Gage (shoulder) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at Minnesota.
Impact Gage figures to handle his usual role in the slot, where the Vikings have been using rookie first-round pick Jeff Gladney in recent weeks. With Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley both cleared to play, Gage is no better than third in the pecking order for targets, though it could work in his favor if the Falcons end up chasing a deficit and facing conservative coverage schemes that make it easier to throw short passes.
OCTOBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Limited in practice Thursday Gage (shoulder) was listed as limited on Thursday's injury report, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.
Impact Gage received 62 percent of the snaps on offense during a Week 5 loss to the Panthers, but the workload didn't show up in the box score, as he managed two catches (on five targets) for 16 yards. The performance occurred in the midst of Julio Jones (hamstring) sitting out, so Gage himself may have been inhibited by his shoulder injury. Jones has been listed as a DNP this week, and if the absence continues into Sunday's game in Minnesota, Gage could be in line for a number of targets, assuming he's active.
OCTOBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Nursing shoulder injury Gage was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a shoulder injury, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.
Impact Gage only caught two of five targets for 16 yards during Sunday's loss to the Panthers while playing a season-low 62 percent of snaps, not counting Week 3, when a concussion forced him out early. The slot specialist's struggles of late may have been at least been partially due to the shoulder injury, though it's encouraging that he wasn't forced to miss practice entirely. Gage will work to shed his injury designation and get fully healthy in time to face the Vikings this weekend.
OCTOBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Falcons name Raheem Morris interim replacement for Quinn
The Atlanta Falcons have named defensive coordinator Raheem Morris interim head coach after firing Dan QuinnOCTOBER 12, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
