Julio Jones or Russell Gage: Who Stands to Benefit from Chris Godwin's Hamstring Injury?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a pleasant surprise when star wideout Chris Godwin was recovered enough to play in the team’s Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys, but it came at a price. 

Godwin went down with a hamstring injury in the first half, which is going to keep him out of the lineup for the time being. 

Luckily, the Buccaneers prepared for a potential Godwin absence by bringing in Julio Jones and Russell Gage this offseason in free agency. Both former Atlanta Falcons receivers played a role in Week 1, but Jones stole the show, looking like his former All-Pro self at times. 

Does Jones get the first crack at replacing Godwin, who had three catches early in Week 1 before exiting? 

If you’re targeting Gage or Jones in fantasy football, or even better in prop bets, it’s important to know how their opportunities looked in Week 1: 

Julio Jones vs. Russell Gage Stat Comparison 

Targets (Catches)

• Jones: 5 targets (3 catches)
• Gage: 2 targets (2 catches)

Gage came into this game with an injury, but he ended up playing, albeit not up to expectations. Gage saw a small target share in this matchup, and it’s hard to see him having receiving props that go above 30-40 yards based on his Week 1 usage.

Receiving Yards

• Jones: 69 yards
• Gage: 13 yards

Carries

• Jones: 2 for 17 yards
• Gage: N/A

Snap Counts (Percentage)

• Jones: 32 (52%)
• Gage: 26 (42%)

Jones may not be his old self, but the Bucs tried to maximize what he has left in the tank in Week 1. Jones ended up with five touches and seven opportunities, hauling in a big catch and also making his presence felt on some end arounds. 

If you’re a prop bettor, taking Jones as an anytime touchdown scorer or even in a receiving yards prop is probably the way to go based on his snap share and targets. 

Even though Jones played just six more snaps than Gage, he saw five more total opportunities and was used in an explosive play down the field. Gage, on the other hand, had receptions of six and seven yards in Week 1. 

Gage’s role, if he’s healthier, should expand in Week 2, but Jones already seems to have a spot in the offense. The Bucs made a point of getting him touches, and that’s enough for me to consider him the better target of these two to replace Godwin against the New Orleans Saints.

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.