Russell Gage was carried out on a stretcher after a nasty hit by Donovan Wilson
On Monday night, in front of a national television audience, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage was taken off the field by stretcher late in the fourth quarter of a wild-card playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys, just two weeks after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed and needed to be resuscitated on the field.
When Gage fumbled a route and fell to the ground, unable to complete the catch, he was hit in the neck by Donovan Wilson, who was able to get off a solid blow. He slapped his hand on the floor in exasperation, as if he had tried to get up but had failed.
While medical professionals treated to Gage, players from both teams knelt and prayed. Before the game restarted, Tom Brady, who delivered the pass to Gage, waited beside the medical personnel.
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said to reporters after the game that Gage had been taken to a local hospital with a concussion and is being checked for a neck injury. According to Bowles, Gage can move his toes, fingers, and toes.
Hamlin collapsed of a heart attack on January 2 during a tackle. His Cincinnati-based teammates wept as he was whisked away in an ambulance. Having made a miraculous recovery, Hamlin was able to stay at home and watch the Bills beat the Dolphins in the AFC wild card game.