The New Orleans Saints are aiming for new heights this upcoming season. As usual, they’ll rely heavily on proven stars to get them there. However, they’ll be without Chris Olave when they open their preseason slate on Sunday, but the absence isn’t cause for alarm.
Why the Saints Are Playing It Safe With Chris Olave
The star wide receiver rolled his ankle during Thursday’s practice, prompting the team to take a cautious approach.
Olave returned to finish the workout after getting the ankle taped, but the Saints held him out the next day as a precaution. According to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, the injury is “insignificant,” and the team views him as “day-to-day.”
“Chris Olave’s ankle injury is insignificant, I’m told. Day to day. Should be back soon,” wrote Underhill.
Chris Olave’s ankle injury is insignificant, I’m told. Day to day. Should be back soon.
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) August 9, 2025
Given Olave’s injury history, it’s not surprising New Orleans is erring on the side of caution. The 2022 first-round pick has missed time four times, with multiple absences tied to concussions. His durability has been a concern, but the current setback isn’t expected to linger into the regular season.
The Saints have plenty of reason to keep their top wideout out of harm’s way in August. Olave remains central to new head coach Kellen Moore’s plans, and after a down 2024 season statistically, the expectation is that he’ll be heavily featured this fall.
The world needs a full year of healthy Chris Olave
pic.twitter.com/EQe9NMeMR0— Woody (@woodyVSworld) August 2, 2025
Olave’s résumé speaks for itself: He has over 2,500 yards and 10 touchdowns in just 39 career games. His consistency has been backed by Pro Football Focus, which has graded him above 82.0 in each of his three years. But availability has been his biggest hurdle, making every precaution now worth it later.
With Olave sidelined, Rashid Shaheed took over as the WR1 in Friday’s scrimmage, and he made the most of it. The speedy wideout, who added roughly 10 pounds of muscle this offseason and expanded his route tree, capped the opening drive with a 31-yard touchdown from quarterback Spencer Rattler.
Shaheed is playing in a contract year, and if he can see it through, he could earn a lucrative contract in the spring.
What Chris Olave’s Injury Means for the Saints
The Saints aren’t facing a long-term crisis at receiver, but they know how important it is to keep Olave healthy. Even if this is a minor injury, it’s going to get overanalyzed given his injury history.
Olave has brushed off durability concerns before, calling his concussion setbacks “unlucky situations” earlier this summer. His confidence hasn’t wavered, and the team is counting on him to play a big role this season.
For now, his ankle issue appears minor. The Saints will hope it stays that way as they work toward getting their most dangerous weapon back on the field, ready to deliver when the games start to matter.
