Bucs’ Russell Gage collapses on the field, writhing and convulsing after punching and suffering a concussion, and medics are forced to brace him: the team confirm he has ‘movements in his extremities’ and is now im hospital is located
- Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage was carried off the field on a stretcher
- The incident happened in the fourth quarter of Monday’s playoff game
- He was trying to catch a pass when he collided with Dallas’ Donovan Wilson
- Wilson appeared to hit the back of Gage’s helmet and hit the receiver’s neck
- Bucs coach Todd Bowles said Gage has a concussion and a possible neck injury
- Luckily, Gage has movement in his extremities, Bowels said
- Gage, 26, was taken to the hospital for further evaluation
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage was taken off the field on a stretcher in Monday’s playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys after convulsing after a fumble and unable to get to his feet.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles said Gage was hospitalized with a concussion and a possible neck injury. Thankfully, the 26-year-old has some feeling in his extremities, Bowles told reporters after losing to Dallas: “His fingers were moving when he was down there, but I don’t know about the rest.”
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.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage (17) is hit by Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (6) in the second half of an NFL wild card round game
Gage was then carried off the field wearing a neck brace and taken straight to the hospital
Russell Gage is examined on the pitch as stunned team-mates look on during Monday’s game
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.
Since his collapse, Hamlin has made remarkable strides, transferring from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center to a Buffalo-area hospital before his release this week. The 24-year-old safety guard has kept in touch with his teammates as he continues to recover after being revived on the field in Cincinnati.
Gage, 26, played collegiate at LSU before being drafted in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons.
In a scene eerily reminiscent of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest on the field in Cincinnati on Jan. 2, both teams stood on the field in silence while several players knelt in prayer while Gage was examined by medical personnel
The recipient was immediately concerned when paramedics rushed over to attend to him in the field
Gage is pictured after the Buccaneers’ previous game – against the Falcons – on Jan. 8
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.