TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage has movement in all of his extremities after suffering a neck injury and concussion in Tampa Bay’s wild-card playoff game against Dallas, the team announced Tuesday.
MUNICH (AP) — Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate is active for Tampa Bay's game against the Seattle Seahawks in Germany on Sunday in his return from a neck injury.
Brate, who also sustained a concussion earlier in the season, hasn't played in a month but practiced all week.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (14-5)
New faces: Coach Todd Bowles (promoted from defensive coordinator); WR Julio Jones, WR Russell Gage, S Keanu Neal, S Logan Ryan, G Shaq Mason, DL Akiem Hicks, TE Kyle Rudolph, OLB Carl Nassib, OL Fred Johnson, DL Logan Hall, TE Cade Otton, G Luke Goedeke, RB Rachaad White, P Jake Camarda.
ATLANTA FALCONS (7-10)
New faces: QB Marcus Mariota, WR Drake London, CB Casey Hayward, WR Bryan Edwards, RB Damien Williams, OLB Lorenzo Carter, LB Rashaan Evans, OG Elijah Wilkinson, P Bradley Pinion, OL Germain Ifedi, QB Desmond Ridder, RB Tyler Allgeier.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (14-5)
CAMP SITE: Tampa, Florida
LAST YEAR: Coming off winning the Super Bowl in Tom Brady’s first season outside New England, the Bucs set a franchise record for regular-season victories with 13 and captured their first NFC South title since 2007.
ATLANTA FALCONS (7-10)
CAMP SITE: Flowery Branch, Ga.
LAST YEAR: The Falcons, looking for a fresh start under first-year coach Arthur Smith and general manager Terry Fontenot, were outscored 459-313.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Maybe it won't be so easy for defenses to focus all their attention on Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts after all.
The Falcons added help for Pitts in the NFL draft, and with that help came impressive size.
27. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (14-5)
LAST SEASON: With Tom Brady leading the league in completions, attempts, passing yards and touchdowns, the Bucs followed up winning their first Super Bowl victory in nearly two decades by setting a franchise record for regular season wins and capturing their first NFC South title since 2007.
8. ATLANTA FALCONS (7-10)
LAST SEASON: The Falcons were outscored 459-313, making seven wins something of an accomplishment under first-year coach Arthur Smith. Highlights included the play of rookie tight end Kyle Pitts, who led the team with 68 catches for 1,026 yards, and versatile Cordarrelle Patterson, who scored a combined 11 touchdowns while leading the team in rushing and finishing third in receptions.
ATLANTA FALCONS (7-10)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: RB Cordarrelle Patterson, LB Foyesade Oluokun, TE Lee Smith, TE Hayden Hurst, S Erik Harris, PK Younghoe Koo, WR Russell Gage, QB A.J. McCarron, SS Duron Harmon, CB Isaiah Oliver, OL Josh Andrews, DE Steven Means, CB Fabian Moreau, LS Josh Harris, P Thomas Morstead, OLB Brandon Copeland, DE Jonathan Bullard, WR Tajae Sharpe, OT Jason Spriggs, LB Daren Bates, LB Dorian Etheridge.
ATLANTA (AP) — A last-minute interception by Foye Oluokun showed again the Atlanta Falcons are learning to win close games.
Matt Ryan threw a tie-breaking, 12-yard touchdown pass to Hayden Hurst early in the fourth quarter and the Falcons held on late to beat the Detroit Lions 20-16 on Sunday to preserve their slim playoff hopes.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Russell Gage's late-season emergence is especially important as quarterback Matt Ryan tries to keep the Atlanta Falcons' passing game moving despite more uncertainty at wide receiver.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Matt Ryan fell asleep during Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, and wasn't even aware until waking up Sunday morning that the Atlanta Braves are heading to the World Series.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Matt Ryan is looking to see more growth from the offense when the Atlanta Falcons, refreshed after their bye week, play Sunday at Miami.
Top wide receiver Calvin Ridley's return should help.
LONDON (AP) — Matt Ryan didn't have his top two wide receivers in London. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback did have Kyle Pitts and Cordarrelle Patterson — and that was enough, especially with the New York Jets stumbling early again.
WARE, England (AP) — Atlanta Falcons rookie Kyle Pitts is looking for his first touchdown, and the New York Jets want to keep it that way.
Pitts could play a key role for Matt Ryan and the Falcons after the team announced that leading receiver Calvin Ridley will not play in Sunday’s game in London for personal reasons.
ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Falcons leading receiver Calvin Ridley will not play in Sunday's game against the New York Jets in London for personal reasons.
After Ridley was not present for Thursday's practice, the Falcons announced Ridley would not accompany the team to London “due to a personal matter.”
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Atlanta Falcons receiver Russell Gage will miss his second straight game with an ankle injury.
The Falcons (1-2) also ruled out defensive lineman Marlon Davidson (ankle) for Sunday's game against Washington (1-2).