Season-ending injury to Buccaneers WR another blow in quest to repeat in NFC South
The job just got a little more difficult for whichever quarterback wins the starting job for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after veteran wide receiver Russell Gage suffered a season-ending knee injury during practice.
Gage joined Tampa Bay in 2022 after four seasons in Atlanta. He scored a career-high five touchdowns while settling in as a valuable safety net for Tom Brady last season. His average depth of target was 5.5 yards, the lowest of his career.
He would have been an asset to either Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask. The two quarterbacks are competing for the No. 1 spot after Brady retired this offseason.
With Pro Bowlers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay has one of the best one-two punches at wide receiver in the league. By the looks of the rest of the offensive weapons, however, defenses have little else to worry about when game-planning against the Bucs.
The offensive line is a work in progress, leaving little reason for optimism that second-year back Rachaad White will have better luck in the running game this season after averaging 3.7 yards an attempt as a rookie. His value as a receiver will be even more important with Gage sidelined, however. His 50 receptions last season were the most among rookie running backs, and the Bucs may have to utilize him in that area even more in 2023.
Trey Palmer, David Moore and Deven Thompkins are listed on Tampa Bay's unofficial depth chart as the second-team wide receivers who will be asked to step into bigger roles.
Palmer was drafted in the sixth round (191st overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft and had a touchdown reception in his first preseason action against the Steelers last Friday.
Moore has only two targets since 2021 and is coming off a leg injury that forced him to miss all of last season. He was solid against Pittsburgh, however, hauling in three receptions for 66 yards in the 27-17 loss.
Thompkins went undrafted in 2022 and was seen more often on special teams than on offense as a rookie. He finished Friday's game with two receptions for nine yards and added eight yards on a rush attempt.
Due to an expected drop-off in play at the quarterback position, little is expected from the Bucs in 2023. For Tampa Bay to surprise its doubters, not only does it need Mayfield or Trask to step up, but one of its unsung backup receivers, too.
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