Chris Olave took a brutal hit in the New Orleans Saints’ Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers. Here’s the latest on the Saints’ wide receiver after his Sunday injury.
What Happened to Chris Olave?
Olave stayed down on the field after taking a first-quarter hit from Panthers safety Xavier Woods, who was flagged for an unsportsmanlike penalty on the play.
New Orleans’ medical staff immediately tended to Olave, who was down for a while. Eventually, he was placed on a backboard and carted off the field.
Fortunately, Olave appeared to be moving his arms and feet while on the backboard.
The Saints officially announced that Olave had been ruled out with a concussion. New Orleans confirmed that Olave had movement in all extremities, noting that he was being transported to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center for further evaluation.
Thankfully, the Saints subsequently confirmed that Olave was discharged from the hospital and will travel back to New Orleans with the rest of his team.
This was the frightening hit on Chris Olave, who is now on a stretcher and being carted off the field.
Olave has suffered at least three documented concussions in his NFL career.pic.twitter.com/VXrewx3C7s https://t.co/7MK4rS6VX8
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 3, 2024
Olave’s brother, Josh, tweeted that Chris “just called” and is “up and active.”
Olave’s injury is especially concerning, given that he suffered a concussion in Week 6. He missed the Saints’ Week 7 loss to the Denver Broncos before returning against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 8. Olave was evaluated for a concussion vs. the Chargers but was cleared to return to the game.
Olave has a lengthy concussion history. He missed Week 6 during his 2022 rookie campaign with a brain injury, then was sidelined for Week 12 in 2023. Olave also suffered a concussion during Ohio State’s season opener in 2020.
Olave told reporters that he considered wearing a Guardian Cap — a padded helmet covering that can help reduce brain injuries — after his Week 6 concussion. However, he did not don the Guardian Cap for Week 8 or today’s game.
Olave’s injury further depletes an already injury-marred Saints wide receiving corps.
Rashid Shaheed is out for the year after undergoing knee surgery in mid-October. With Olave injured, New Orleans’ only healthy wideouts are Cedrick Wilson Jr., Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and rookie undrafted free agents Mason Tipton and Jermaine Jackson.
Did Olave Return in Week 9?
No, Olave did not return for the rest of Week 9. The Saints officially ruled him out with a concussion.
Most players who suffer brain injuries miss at least one week of action. However, given Olave’s concussion history, it won’t be surprising if he’s held out for multiple games or even placed on injured reserve.
Saints beat reporter Nick Underhill said that Olave seemed okay in the locker room after the game, even telling Underhill that he was doing good. However, Underhill notes that he doesn’t expect to see Olave playing “any time soon, if all again this season.”
Chris Olave was in the locker room after the game. Walking. Talking. Told me he was doing good.
Obviously, I don't think we'll see him on the field any time soon, if at all again this season.
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) November 4, 2024
New Orleans will face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10 and the Cleveland Browns in Week 11 before going on a bye in Week 12.
Fantasy Impact of Olave’s Injury
Olave’s injury-prone season continues, this time with Derek Carr back under center. Fantasy managers should be hopeful that Olave can return top-20 value when healthy, but if that’s not the case, looking for waiver wire adds in this offense isn’t much of an option.
Thank God Preciate all the love & prayers Ima be aight🙏🏾🙏🏾
— Chris Olave (@chrisolave_) November 3, 2024
Tipton and Wilson are the next men up (Bub Means is injured), and neither carries a great profile. This injury would put more usage on Alvin Kamara’s plate and maybe encourage creativity with Taysom Hill. This is a team to avoid sans Olave if at all possible.
— PFN Analyst Kyle Soppe
PFN+ Analysis on Olave’s Injury
According to our WR+ metric, entering Week 9, Olave ranked as the 25th-best WR this year. If he is out, it will be a big loss for the Saints in the red zone, where he has been seeing a third of the targets for the team this year.
Olave has also been good at bailing out his quarterback this year, with a 7.7% catch rate over expectation. However, he has struggled after the pass, with an average yards after the catch differential of -0.19 yards per reception.
This has been Olave’s best season to date, so it is a real shame to see him down on the field and potentially set to miss significant time.
— PFN Analyst Ben Rolfe