Russell Gage Bio
Russell Gage Jr. (born January 22, 1996) is an American professional football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft. Across his NFL career, Gage has also suited up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Baltimore Ravens, and the San Francisco 49ers. Listed at 6 feet 0 inches and 184 pounds, he is known for his reliable hands and willingness to contribute on special teams.
Early Life and Background
Russell Gage Jr. was born on January 22, 1996, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He grew up in the same Louisiana city that would later become familiar territory when he suited up for the LSU Tigers. Gage attended Redemptorist High School in Baton Rouge, where he played high school football and began developing the physical style that would define his career.
Coming out of Redemptorist, Gage was regarded as a multi-sport athlete with the kind of toughness required to play on both sides of the ball. He committed to LSU, choosing to stay close to home and continue his development at a major college football program. His time at Redemptorist laid the foundation for the transition from a high school prospect into a Division I player.
Path to the NFL
At LSU, Gage joined the Tigers in 2014 and played for the program through the 2017 season. He began his college career as a defensive back for his first two seasons, working on the back end of the defense. In Week 7 of his junior year, however, the LSU coaching staff moved him to offense for a key victory over the No. 22 Texas A&M Aggies. In that game, Gage led the run-heavy Tigers with five catches for 62 yards and a touchdown, his only receptions of the season.
As a senior, Gage was used as both a running back and a receiver, generating four touchdowns on just 49 touches. He also recorded 11 tackles as a special teams gunner, highlighting his willingness to do the dirty work in all three phases of the game. That versatility caught the attention of NFL scouts, and Gage declared for the 2018 NFL draft after his senior season at LSU.
Russell Gage Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
With modest college statistics, Russell Gage was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, but he attracted attention after an exceptional Pro Day and a strong endorsement of his work ethic by LSU coaches. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round with the 194th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, four rounds behind fellow LSU wide receiver D. J. Chark. In Week 6 of his rookie season, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Gage recorded his first professional reception, a six-yard catch. As a rookie, he totaled six receptions for 63 yards in 15 games on a team with deep talent at receiver.
In Week 13 of the 2019 season, Gage recorded his first professional receiving touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. He finished the 2019 season with 49 receptions for 446 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown, ranking fourth on the team behind Calvin Ridley, Pro Bowl selection Julio Jones, and tight end Austin Hooper. The year marked his first real opportunity to show he could be a consistent contributor in the Falcons’ passing game.
Atlanta Falcons Breakthrough (2020–2021)
With Julio Jones injured for seven games and the departure of Austin Hooper, Russell Gage became the second-leading receiver for the 4–12 Atlanta Falcons in 2020. His breakthrough game came in the home opener of September 13, a loss to the Seattle Seahawks, where he posted 114 receiving yards on nine receptions. The following week, against the Dallas Cowboys, he caught six passes for 46 yards and a touchdown during a 40–39 loss. In Week 14, against the Los Angeles Chargers, Gage threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Ridley in a 20–17 defeat. He finished the 2020 season with 72 receptions for 786 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.
The 2021 season featured some of Gage’s most productive moments as a Falcon. He had 11 receptions for 130 yards in a 30–17 loss to the Buccaneers in Week 13, and caught 9 of 13 targets for 126 yards and a touchdown in a Week 18 loss to the New Orleans Saints. That touchdown was both Gage’s and quarterback Matt Ryan’s last as members of the Atlanta Falcons. After missing two games with injuries, Gage still finished 2021 as the Falcons’ second-leading receiver behind rookie Pro Bowler Kyle Pitts, with 66 receptions for 770 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2022–2023)
On March 18, 2022, Russell Gage signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He spent five weeks on injured reserve during his first year in Tampa Bay. Gage posted a career-best 12 receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown in a Week 3 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He also recorded his first career multi-touchdown game in a Week 14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He finished the 2022 season with 51 receptions for 426 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns in 13 games.
On January 16, 2023, Gage suffered a neck injury during a Wild Card Round playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys and was carted off the field. Head coach Todd Bowles confirmed after the game that Gage had suffered a concussion and was being evaluated at a local hospital. The following morning, the team confirmed that Gage had movement in all extremities and would remain hospitalized for further testing. Bowles later reported that Gage was planned to be released from the hospital by the end of the day on Tuesday. In 2023 training camp, Gage suffered a torn patellar tendon and was placed on injured reserve on August 21, 2023. On March 11, 2024, the Buccaneers chose not to pick up the option for the last year of his contract, making him a free agent.
Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers Era (2024–2025)
On August 6, 2024, Russell Gage signed with the Baltimore Ravens. On August 26, he was released by the Ravens as part of final roster cuts for the start of the 2024 season. On November 5, 2024, Gage was signed to the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad, and he signed a reserve or future contract with the team on January 7, 2025. On August 26, 2025, he was released by the 49ers as part of final roster cuts, then re-signed to the active roster two days later, and was again released on September 3 before re-signing with the practice squad. He was released by the 49ers on November 19, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Russell Gage is best known for his reliability as a possession receiver, his toughness over the middle of the field, and his willingness to contribute on special teams as a gunner. He has shown the ability to play multiple roles in an offense, having lined up as a running back, receiver, and even as a trick-play passer during his time in Atlanta. His career-best production came as a chain-moving target for the Falcons in 2020 and 2021, where he routinely logged high-volume games.
Notable Events and Milestones
Gage’s first professional touchdown came against the New Orleans Saints in 2019, and his first multi-touchdown game arrived in a 2022 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The neck injury he suffered during the 2022 Wild Card Round against the Dallas Cowboys and the torn patellar tendon he sustained in 2023 training camp stand as the most dramatic moments of his NFL career, both of which tested his resolve and long-term outlook.
Russell Gage Career Wins
Russell Gage has accumulated a steady body of work as a possession receiver across multiple NFL stops. As of 2025, his career totals include 244 receptions, 2,491 receiving yards, and 14 receiving touchdowns in the regular season. While he has not earned major individual awards, his production as a No. 2 or No. 3 option in Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and San Francisco has kept him around the league for several seasons.
NFL Highlights
Gage’s signature season came in 2020 with the Atlanta Falcons, when he set career highs with 72 receptions for 786 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. He added 66 receptions for 770 yards and seven scores in 2021, finishing as Atlanta’s second-leading receiver behind rookie Pro Bowler Kyle Pitts. In 2022, his first year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he posted 51 receptions for 426 yards and five touchdowns despite spending five weeks on injured reserve.
Other Performances
At LSU, Gage finished his senior season with four touchdowns on 49 touches as a runner and receiver, and he added 11 tackles as a special teams gunner. His single-game high of 12 receptions came in a 2022 loss to the Green Bay Packers, while his 114-yard performance against the Seattle Seahawks in 2020 remains his top yardage output as a pro.
Russell Gage Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Russell Gage Jr. grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he attended Redemptorist High School and developed into a Division I football player. Publicly available details about his parents and immediate family remain limited, and he has kept most of his personal life private throughout his professional career.
Personal Life
Russell Gage Jr. has not publicly shared verified details about a spouse or children. He continues to be based in the United States and focuses his public profile on his work as an NFL wide receiver.
2025 Season Performance
Russell Gage entered the 2025 season looking to carve out a role with the San Francisco 49ers. On August 26, 2025, he was released by the 49ers as part of final roster cuts before being re-signed to the active roster two days later. He was released again on September 3 and re-signed to the practice squad, signaling an up-and-down opening to the year. The pattern showed that the 49ers valued his experience and versatility enough to keep him within the organization.
On November 19, 2025, the 49ers released Gage, bringing an end to his second stint with the franchise. Throughout the 2025 cycle, his experience as a possession receiver and special teams contributor remained his clearest path back onto an active NFL roster.