Veteran wide receiver Russell Gage focused on earning Brock Purdy's trust

SANTA CLARA — Toward the end of 49ers practice on Tuesday, quarterback Brock Purdy lofted a red-zone pass toward the back left corner of the end zone&period;Purdy’s intended target high-pointed the ball amidst a sea of defenders&period;Veteran wide receiver Russell Gage, who has been among the standouts on the 49ers’ practice field, came down with one of his many catches through the first six practices of training camp&period; However, the official on the spot ruled him out of bounds&period;“You think I was in&quest;” Gage asked two reporters afterward&period; “I think I was in&period;”It was of little importance whether Gage was in or out&period; It was more important what that play demonstrated&period;Gage is doing his part to work his way into the 49ers’ plans with a strong start to training camp&period; And that play showed he has earned the trust of the 49ers’ franchise quarterback&period;“Plays like that mean a lot to me,” Gage said&period; “For him to put it up there, he’s throwing it in anticipation I’m going to be there&period; And him putting up there is also in anticipation I’m going to go up and get it&period; That meant a lot to me and builds confidence moving forward that he’ll let something like that fly for me&period;”Gage, 29, has experienced as much NFL success as nearly any receiver on the 49ers’ roster&period; However, due to a serious knee injury sustained in August 2023, he went two full seasons without playing in a regular-season game&period;In five NFL seasons, Gage has 244 catches for 2,491 yards and 14 touchdowns&period; His best two seasons came in 2020 and ’21, when he caught a combined 138 passes for 1,556 yards and eight touchdowns&period;“It was tough because my game was elevating more and more, and the injury took place,” Gage said of a torn patellar tendon he sustained on a non-contact play while with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a joint practice against the New York Jets&period;He missed all of the 2023 season after undergoing surgery&period; Last year, he participated in training camp with the Baltimore Ravens but was released before the start of the season&period;The 49ers originally signed Gage to the practice squad in early November&period; He said it was while with the 49ers late last season that he felt as if he was starting to look like the same player who had so much success earlier in his career&period;The 49ers re-signed Gage after last season&period; He took part in the 49ers’ offseason program and clearly has raised his game during the first week of training camp&period;“First of all, he’s a pro,” 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said&period; “He’s been around, and you can tell with the way he prepares, the way he works, the way he gets his body ready to practice every day&period;“He’s a guy who’s taken a big step from OTAs&period; In OTAs, he was learning&period; You might be a hair slower when you’re still trying to figure it all out&period; You can tell he’s really putting in the work in the classroom with the mental part of it, and it’s made his play faster&period;”Gage played cornerback for two seasons at LSU before moving to wide receiver&period; He said he uses that experience of playing defense to better set up cornerbacks because he remembers what gave him problems as a cover man&period;Gage said his elevated play in training camp is a result of having a better understanding of Kyle Shanahan’s offense and latching onto what Purdy expects from his receivers&period;“Once I understand what they’re trying to get, as far as play wise, and what Brock wants on certain plays, being at the right place at the right time, once I understand that, I’m always going to play a lot faster,” Gage said&period;The door is open for Gage to make an impact from the outset of the season&period; Deebo Samuel was traded to Washington in the offseason, and Brandon Aiyuk could miss a month or more as he returns from a torn ACL&period;In addition, veteran Demarcus Robinson could face a league-imposed suspension for a possible violation of the league’s policy on substances of abuse&period;Moreover, the 49ers’ top returning wide receiver, Jauan Jennings, currently is sidelined with a calf condition&period;“This is a place I want to be,” Gage said&period; “I love the offense&period; I love the style of receivers — all of them&period; I’m hopeful to make this team and contribute and be a part of a real special group&period;”Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast

Veteran wide receiver Russell Gage focused on earning Brock Purdy’s trust

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