Bucs receiver Russell Gage is carted off the field in Tampa Bay after awkward hit to his neck

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 an awkward hit left him twitching and unable to get to his feet.

The incident took place late in the fourth quarter on a crossing route over the middle of the field. Gauge stumbled was he tried to haul in Tom Brady’s pass with Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson leaning in for a tackle. It was then that Wilson collided with the back of Gage’s helmet, sending his neck recoiling back in the opposite direction. 

Gage attempted to get up, but his body slumped back down to the turf, prompting immediate concern among both Bucs and Cowboys players.  

In a scene eerily reminiscent to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s on-field cardiac arrest in Cincinnati on January 2, both teams stood silently on the field with several players kneeling in prayer as Gage was examined by medical staff. Brady, in particular, appeared stunned in the moments after his teammate went down. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage (17) is hit Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (6) during the second half of an NFL Wildcard round game

Russell Gage #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is carted off the field after suffering an injury against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 16

The injury comes as the NFL continues to deal with the aftermath of Hamlin’s situation, which has been improving since he collapsed on the Paycor Stadium field three weeks earlier. 

Since his collapse, Hamlin has made remarkable strides, going from University of Cincinnati Medical Center to a Buffalo-area hospital before being released this week. The 24-year-old safety has remained in touch with teammates as he continues to recover after being resuscitated on the field in Cincinnati. 

The 26-year-old Gage played collegiately at LSU before being taken in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. He would play four seasons in Atlanta, recording 72 passes for 786 yards and four touchdowns in 2020, before signing with the Bucs on a three-year, $30 million deal in March. 

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Russell Gage is examined on the turf as stunned teammates look on during Monday’s game

In a scene eerily reminiscent to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin ’s on-field cardiac arrest in Cincinnati on January 2, both teams stood silently on the field with several players kneeling in prayer as Gage was examined by medical staff