Veteran wide receiver Russell Gage has emerged as an intriguing candidate to earn a roster spot with the San Francisco 49ers. After a strong offseason and steady improvement throughout training camp, Gage is making a compelling case.
"Yeah, he's definitely given himself a chance," head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Thursday. "I think Russ had a really good offseason. I've always been a fan of Russell since he came out of college. I was a huge fan of his when he was in Atlanta, and he signed that big deal with Tampa."
Gage entered the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2018. He spent four seasons in Atlanta before signing a three-year, $30 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022. However, his time in Tampa was cut short by injuries. A serious neck injury and concussion during a playoff game in January 2023 raised concerns about his long-term future.
Gage's misfortune continued during 2023 training camp, when he suffered a torn patellar tendon that sidelined him for the entire season. Tampa Bay declined the option on his contract, and Gage became a free agent in 2024.
He briefly signed with the Baltimore Ravens in August 2024 but was released before the season began. The 49ers added him to their practice squad that November, giving him a chance to gradually return to football shape.
"Then he had some really bad luck with some injuries that almost ended his career, and I think he took about a year and a half off, I'm going to guess," Shanahan added. "We got him last year to put on our practice squad, and you could see him throughout the whole year working to get his legs back, and to get back in receiver shape, and be able to handle the cuts after his injuries.
"I think the way he finished last year was really positive. He put the work in this offseason, and I think he's back to being a really good NFL player now and fighting to make this team."
Over his seven-year NFL career, Gage has appeared in 74 games and totaled 244 receptions for 2,491 yards and 14 touchdowns. His best statistical season came in 2020, when he was the Falcons' second-leading receiver with 72 receptions for 786 yards and four touchdowns. He followed that up in 2021 with 66 receptions for 770 yards and four scores over 14 games.
Quarterback Brock Purdy has taken notice of Gage's work ethic and potential to contribute.
"Yeah, I think he's done a great job," Purdy said. "Coming in and learning all of our different details in different positions at receiver in our offense, it's not easy. I think we sort of asked him to do a lot, and he's handled it all pretty well. I think he's done a good job of creating separation against man coverage and being where he needs to be. And he's got good hands, very athletic.
"It's putting it all together. Can you block the right guy on the run game and then, the next play, create separation and catch a tight-window pass? Those are things that we're looking for, and he's done that, so that excites me. Today (Thursday), I thought he had a good day, good catch in the two-minute drill, and just overall, I'm really excited about him. So, we've just got to keep chipping."
Gage is one of several veteran receivers battling for a spot on the 49ers' 53-man roster. He'll get a critical opportunity to showcase his progress and playmaking ability on Saturday, when San Francisco hosts the Denver Broncos in its preseason opener.