BREAKING NEWS: Russell Gage has more tests at the hospital after staying overnight after a brutal beating that left him convulsing on the floor with a concussion and an injured neck as the Bucs lost to the Cowboys in the playoffs
Russell Gage will undergo additional tests at hospital on Tuesday after being removed from a stretcher after a brutal beating that left him convulsing on the ground and unable to get to his feet.
The Bucs said in a statement Tuesday: “After suffering a neck injury and concussion in the fourth quarter of yesterday’s game, Russell was rushed to a local hospital where he stayed overnight for additional testing and observation.
“Russell had movement in all extremities and will have further tests today (Tuesday).
“We will provide additional information as it becomes available.”
The incident happened late in the fourth quarter at a cruising track across the middle of the field.
Gauge tripped trying to catch up with Tom Brady’s pass with Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson leaning over for a tackle. At that moment, Wilson collided with the back of Gage’s helmet, sending his neck back in the opposite direction.
Gage tried to get up, but his body sagged back onto the turf, prompting immediate concern from both the Bucs and Cowboys players.
In a scene eerily reminiscent of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s on-field cardiac arrest Jan. 2 in Cincinnati, both teams stood on the field in silence while several players knelt in prayer while Gage was examined by medical personnel . Brady in particular seemed stunned in the moments after his teammate went down.
The injury comes as the NFL continues to grapple with the fallout from Hamlin’s situation, which has improved since he collapsed on the field at Paycor Stadium three weeks earlier.
Gage, 26, played collegiate at LSU before being drafted in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons.
He played four seasons with Atlanta and recorded 72 passes for 786 yards and four touchdowns in 2020 before signing a three-year, $30 million contract with the Bucs in March.
He had five touchdowns and 426 yards this season, but he only rushed for 10 yards on eight goals on a difficult night in Monday’s Wild Card Playoffs.
Shortly after Gage was carted off the field and taken to the hospital, the Cowboys saw a routine 31-14 win over the Bucs to secure their place in the playoffs Divisional Round and watch a delicious tie with the 49ers the following weekend seal.
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