New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is a key cog in head coach Kellen Moore’s offense, however pedestrian it may be. Health concerns have lingered around the wideout for some time, and his latest situation is another chapter in his book of health troubles.
However, there’s a new update relating to his activity for this weekend against the Miami Dolphins.
Chris Olave Injury Update
Coach Moore said Olave had to leave practice early on Wednesday, which suggested that the experienced wideout was trending in the wrong direction for Sunday afternoon’s matchup in Miami.
Olave enjoyed a strong start to the first half of the campaign. But trouble reared its head on Wednesday, when Moore said the receiver was limited in practice due to back problems.
The wideout is the heart of New Orleans’s receiving corps. In 11 games this season, he put up 69 receptions for 734 yards and four touchdowns, on course to record a career campaign. He’s averaging 10.6 yards per catch, with a longest gain of 62 yards.
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He’s been a reliable feature in the Saints’ offense, as he has throughout his career, with a 104-yard game against the Carolina Panthers and two more 98-yard outings.
On Sunday morning, NFL insider Adam Schefter confirmed that Olave will play in Week 13. “Saints expect WR Chris Olave, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a back injury, to play vs. the Dolphins, per source,” Schefter wrote on X.
The Saints Don’t Have Much Depth Behind Chris Olave
Olave’s potential absence would have particularly punctured the offense due to the limited depth that Coach Moore has at his disposal.
Tight end Juwan Johnson is quarterback Tyler Shough’s next-best option in the passing game, having leaned on the veteran quite a bit since taking over from Spencer Rattler. While the tight end is yet to record a 100-yard game this year, he had a 92-yarder versus the Panthers, along with three scores. If Olave ends up sitting out this week, expect Johnson’s touches to increase.
Beyond the veteran tight end, New Orleans is dry on depth. The supporting cast includes Mason Tipton, Devaughn Vele, and Kevin Austin Jr., all of whom have contributed in minimal numbers. Running back Alvin Kamara’s injury status is yet another obstacle in the Saints’ push in the NFC South.
The team might mathematically still be in the playoff race, but it’s highly unlikely to secure a seed for January. Sitting at 2-9, they have to overcome a 4-game deficit to the top by beating out the Atlanta Falcons, Panthers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
New Orleans Saints vs. Miami Dolphins Preview
Saints’ Insights for Week 13
Team:Â According to the PFSN Analytics, New Orleans currently has a 15.7% chance of getting the first overall pick. A loss increases the chances to 22.1%, a win drops it to 6.2%.
QB:Â After posting the fourth-best QBi (80.0, B-) in Week 10, Tyler Shough scored a 70.0 (C-) in Week 12 against the Falcons.
Offense:Â New Orleans has had a D+ or worse OFFi the last four games.
Defense: The Saints are currently at 71.6 (C-) in DEFi, which is 21st overall and New Orleans’ worst since 2018.
Fantasy: Chris Olave has 14 catches in New Orleans’ past two games, and the Dolphins have allowed four WR1s to reach 20 PPR points in a game this season. The Saints aren’t exciting, but their unquestioned WR1 can be trusted.
Dolphins’ Insights for Week 13
Team:Â Miami will play the Saints and Jets after the Week 12 bye.
QB: Tua Tagovailoa has thrown an interception on one of every 4.2 attempts. His previous career low was in 2021, when he had 2.6 interceptions per attempt.
Offense: De’Von Achane is fourth in the NFL with an 86.2 (B) RBi this season. He led the NFL with a 95.1 RBi (A) in 2023.
Defense:Â Miami has held opponents to 13 points or fewer in three of the last four games. They allowed 27+ points in six of the first seven games.
Fantasy: Over his past four games, Jaylen Waddle is averaging 16.7 yards per catch and has seen his average depth of target (aDOT) increase by 13.4% over that run. That role can carry variance, but the Saints have ranked in the bottom quarter of the league in deep pass TD% for the majority of the season.
