The New Orleans Saints gave the Arizona Cardinals all they could handle through the first half of their season opener. However, a big portion of that production was wide receiver Chris Olave, who led all players on the team in receiving yards with 32.
But it didn’t take long for his injury history to rear its ugly head. As he headed to the medical tent, the entire New Orleans fan base could not believe their bad luck.
What Happened to Chris Olave?
With less than eight minutes left in the second quarter, Olave came off the field clearly hobbling. The Saints immediately put up a medical tent for him. For fans who have closely followed his career, it was a brutal scenario to witness.
Chris Olave heads to the sideline and into the blue tent after an apparent injury 💔
This cannot be happening again man, it feels like every game he is going down.
Hope all is well. pic.twitter.com/3fdUQBmPpk
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) September 7, 2025
However, they immediately received some good news, as it did not take long for him to return to the field. Katherine Terrell of ESPN brought the scoop almost immediately as it happened.
She wrote on X, “Correction: Chris Olave came off the field looking a little hobbled, they put up the injury tent for him but he ended up going right back to the sideline and into the game again.”
In his three seasons as a star in the NFL, Olave has only missed a significant amount of time this past season. Through his first two years, the star wide receiver had tallied 31 games under his belt.
However, virtually every year, he has been bothered by some nick and scrape. Last year, he suffered a concussion on two separate occasions, bringing his tally to four concussions since he came into the league.
As if on cue, Olave found himself on the receiving end of a brutal hit from Will Johnson in the fourth quarter. With the Saints trying to mount a comeback down 10, he was hit in the backfield and immediately went down.
Will Johnson with the big hit on Chris Olave pic.twitter.com/txAgVufR6c
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) September 7, 2025
Soon after, he was taken to the sidelines and back into the medical tent. Soon after, the official page for the franchise put out a tweet, confirming, “Chris Olave (chest) is questionable to return.”
Thankfully, fans didn’t have to wait long for that questionable designation to be lifted, as he returned to the field determined to engineer a potential game-tying drive while trailing by seven.
Unfortunately, seeing Chris Olave shaken up has become an all-too-familiar experience for Saints fans. This season, however, he’ll be counted on more than ever as the organization works to chart its future.
Neither Spencer Rattler nor Tyler Shough appears to be a definitive answer at quarterback, but building chemistry with Olave could provide the franchise with valuable insight when deciding on either passer’s long-term viability.
In his two fully healthy campaigns, he burst onto the scene with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, highlighted by a 1,123-yard effort in 2023. However, injuries derailed him last year, limiting him to only 400 yards.
As a result, he’ll be eager to return to form and deliver the kind of production he’s known for, even as the 2025 season serves as a soft reset for New Orleans.
Latest Injury Update on Olave
Saints HC Kellen Moore confirmed that Olave was not evaluated for a concussion after the game. The Saints star also posted a message after the game.
“Thank God Preciate all the love & prayers Ima be aight,” Olave wrote via his X, formerly known as Twitter, account.
In the Saints’ 20-13 loss to the Cardinals, the former Ohio State star finished with seven receptions for 54 yards. He is expected to play in Week 2’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.
On Monday, September 8, Moore further talked about Olave’s injury.” He took a tremendous big hit to the chest and the way he responded shows his resiliency, his toughness,” said the Saints HC.
Kellen Moore complimented #Saints WR Chris Olave’s toughness and response to taking that big hit. On how he is today: “He’s good, he’s fine”
— Tina Howell (@TinaHowellNOLA) September 8, 2025
Moore also mentioned that Olave is “fine,” which indicates that the star receiver will be ready to play in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers.
