Russell Gage avoids serious neck injury after scary hit in Bucs-Cowboys

Just two weeks after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed and needed to be resuscitated on the field, another sobering moment occurred in front of a prime-time audience on Monday night when Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage was taken off by stretcher late in the fourth quarter of a wild-card playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys.

The team released a statement Tuesday morning saying Gage had movement in his extremities after suffering a neck injury and concussion. Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said Tuesday afternoon that Gage had avoided serious neck injury and would likely be released from the hospital later that day. 

Gage took to social media Tuesday, thanking everyone for the support, while adding that he is "doing great and in great spirits!" 

"Definitely hope he’s doing well. He was moving so that’s a good sign," teammate Lavonte David said after the game.

Gage was injured when he stumbled on a route, went to the ground, couldn’t make the catch and took a hard shot to the neck from Donovan Wilson. He appeared to try to get up but couldn’t and slammed his hand into the ground in frustration. 

Players from both teams took a knee and prayed while medical personnel attended to Gage. Tom Brady, who threw the pass to Gage, stood near the medical staff before the game resumed.

Gage was taken to a local hospital with a concussion and is being evaluated for a neck injury, Bowles told reporters following the game. Gage has movement in all of his extremities, Bowles added. 

On Jan. 2, Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after making a tackle. Teammates were in tears while he was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Cincinnati. Hamlin has made a remarkable recovery and watched the Bills beat the Dolphins in an AFC wild-card game from home.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.