The Bucs have lost wide receiver Russell Gage to a season-ending knee injury, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Gage is expected to undergo an MRI that will confirm that he is lost for the season and will be placed on injured reserve.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles confirmed after Wednesday’s joint practice with the Jets that Gage’s knee injury is indeed “serious.” Gage went down with a non-contact injury and had to be carted from the field.

On the surface, this seems like a big blow, as Gage was slated to be the team’s No. 3 receiver behind a pair of Pro Bowl starters in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. But in reality, Gage has been a huge disappointment since signing a three-year deal worth $10 million per season last year.

Bucs WR Russell Gage and WRs coach Brad Idzik – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Injuries are rarely the fault of players. Gage certainly didn’t mean to suffer a severe hamstring injury last training camp in a joint practice with the Dolphins, just as he didn’t want to suffer a severe knee injury in a joint practice with the Jets on Wednesday.

The reality is that his hamstring injury plagued Gage during the entire 2022 season, resulting in just 51 catches for 461 yards and a disappointing 8.4-yard average, along with five touchdowns. He then re-injured it during the offseason and missed all of the OTAs and the mandatory mini-camp.

When Gage returned to action after missing the first week of training camp, he looked rather pedestrian. Certainly not better than rookie Trey Palmer, a sixth-round draft pick, or some of the team’s other new receivers.

Gage, along with Evans and Godwin, did not participate in the Bucs’ preseason opener against the Steelers.

Russell Gage Would’ve Had A Hard Time Keeping WR3 Role

It’s hard to say just how productive Russell Gage would have been for the Bucs this year. It’s difficult to imagine Gage even keeping his WR3 spot with Palmer turning it on in practice and stepping up in the preseason opener with four catches on four targets and a touchdown. If Palmer continues to ascend, it seemed like Gage was destined to be WR4 at some point in the season.

Bucs WR Trey Palmer – Photo By: Cliff Welch P/R

The Bucs were contemplating releasing Gage this offseason, but mutually agreed on a $3 million pay cut instead. There were incentives that could have allowed Gage to recoup that money this year, but that’s fallen by the wayside with him slated to be placed on injured reserve. For agreeing to the pay cut, Gage’s new $7 million salary was guaranteed for this year. He was going to get that money regardless of whether he was on the roster, on IR or on the street.

The Bucs weren’t likely going to cut Gage, but the fact that he missed the entire offseason put him behind in learning the offense and the chemistry with both Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask. Other receivers, like Palmer, second-year receiver Deven Thompkins, rookie Rakim Jarrett and veteran David Moore, who spent three years with Dave Canales in Seattle, stepped up over the summer and were going to challenge him for playing time.

Palmer continued his hot August by making several plays in the Bucs’ joint practice with the Jets on Wednesday, catching a 60-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Trask while beating New York’s Pro Bowl cornerback Sauce Gardner, who was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year last season.

Nobody wished this injury upon Gage, but the reality is that the Bucs have a lot of young, new receivers, including Palmer, that they’re excited about.

What Does Bucs WR Depth Chart Look Like Without Russell Gage?

Russell Gage’s future with the team past 2023 was certainly in doubt even before Wednesday’s knee injury. Now, it’s all but over with his season-ending injury. Once healthy, the Bucs can release Gage in 2024, free up $10 million in cap room and not have any dead cap money.

Bucs WR David Moore – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Now, the Bucs can keep a younger receiver that maybe they would have had to cut or were unable to stash on the practice squad because they would’ve been claimed off waivers in early September. It’s unlikely that the salary-cap strapped Bucs will look to free agency for a veteran replacement.

The 28-year old Moore has five years of experience in the NFL and can serve as another veteran receiver, in addition to Evans and Godwin. Moore had three catches for a game-high 66 yards against Pittsburgh on Friday night, including a 38-yard catch-and-run.

Moore is solidly built at 6-foot, 220 pounds, and ran a 4.43 coming out of East Central (Oklahoma) in 2017. More importantly, he has four years worth of experience playing in this offense during his time with the Seahawks. He logged 78 receptions for 1,163 yards (14.9 avg.) and 13 touchdowns during his time in Seattle as a reserve receiver. He also ran for 91 yards on 12 carries.

Based upon preseason performance and training camp practices, here is where things likely stand on the Bucs receiver depth chart without Gage. The Bucs will certainly keep five wide receivers, and likely six with Devin Thompkins, Rakim Jarrett and Trey Palmer all capable of handling kick and punt returns.

Pewter Report’s Unofficial WR Depth Chart

WR1 Mike Evans
WR2 Chris Godwin
WR3 Trey Palmer
WR4 David Moore
WR5 Deven Thompkins
WR6 Rakim Jarrett

Possible Practice Squad WRs

WR Ryan Miller
WR Kaylon Geiger
WR Kade Warner
WR Taye Barber