Category: Chris Olave

Chris Olave says he feels ‘regular’ after season-ending concussion

Chris Olave missed the last eight games with a concussion. The wide receiver shared an update on his health and steps he’s taking for next season:

Chris Olave’s 2024 season was heavily compromised by concussions. The New Orleans Saints’ lead receiver has suffered a concussion every year he’s been in the NFL, and this year he suffered two concussions that kept him out for nine games.

From this point on, concussions will be concern for the wide receiver. Olave’s history makes it hard not to think about it when watching him play, similar to Tua Tagovailoa. Olave will take a look at changing helmets next year in an attempt to lower his chances of future concussions.

In his post-season interview, Olave said he felt, “regular” a couple of times and stated he felt “No symptoms, as far as concussions symptoms since I’ve been hurt.”

Every player isn’t lucky enough for symptoms not to linger, so that’s an extremely positive update. The decision to not return to the field was purely about the future.

Olave did come back to practice but was never activated. He explained: “It’s about long-term health, and that’s what I was worried about these last few games.”

It was the correct step. Darren Rizzi always stressed the Saints would prioritize the person over the player, and this is an example of that. After sitting out the remainder of the season, all signs point to him having a healthy offseason and taking the proper preventative steps for next year.

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Opinion: Saints should sit Chris Olave for the remainder of the season

Chris Olave has returned as a full participant at practice, but he shouldn’t play another game for the Saints this season. His long-term health is more important:

The Dallas Cowboys shut down CeeDee Lamb for the final weeks of the season due to a shoulder injury, and if they’re smart, the New Orleans Saints should take a page out of their book and shut down their top receiver, too. Dallas is out of playoff contention, just like New Orleans, but Chris Olave is practicing unlike Lamb.

Olave was projected as a full participant on Wednesday’s injury report. That was Christmas Day, so there was no practice which meant it was the expectation from the team medical staff. The projection was accurate, and Olave was a full participant when the Saints stepped out for Thursday’s practice. Olave remains on injured reserve.

New Orleans opened Olave’s return window last week, and he began practicing. This feels like the progression to returning to the field. If it isn’t, then it brings up one question. What’s the point of him practicing?

Is this supposed to be a sign of his progress? Darren Rizzi telling media Olave was good enough to play would have sufficed. But there’s something to be said for letting him run routes at practice and get his legs back under him before the season ends. That beats watching his teammates work from the sideline.

Olave suffered two concussions this season, and this is becoming a repeated occurrence for the young player. The last concussion was a scary one. This is a situation that has to be treated delicately.

New Orleans doesn’t have anything to play for as a team, and he’s in a much more comfortable place than other young players. This feels like a time to sit Olave down even if he’s pushing to play.

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Chris Olave ‘in a good place’ after second concussion in 2024

Saints coach Darren Rizzi said this week that Chris Olave is “in a good place” after his second concussion of 2024. But he’s no sure thing to return this season:

Has Chris Olave already caught his last pass with the New Orleans Saints this season? It’s certainly possible. The standout wide receiver suffered two concussions in his first eight games and was put on injured reserve, and there’s currently no timetable for him to return to the field. At least not in pads and a helmet. Olave was spotted at the Saints practice facility this week spectating and dapping up teammates, but he’s not ready to run routes and take on contact.

Interim head coach Darren Rizzi shared an update on Olave’s status after practice on Tuesday.

“He’s still going through that whole process. He’s met with a bunch of people, he’s got another meeting coming up here next week. He’s met with some different specialists throughout the country,” Rizzi said, adding that Olave had another specialist visit lined up later this week. “He’s in a good place.”

The soonest Olave could return is Week 15’s home game with the Washington Commanders (which would set him up for a matchup with his former teammate Marshon Lattimore), but that might be overly ambitious. Rizzi emphasized that Olave’s wellbeing, not his availability on the field, is the greater concern here. A rapid series of brain injuries like this can have serious, lifelong implications.

“Him and I the last couple days had great conversations. He’s feeling a lot better. With that kind of injury, you just want to make sure you’re doing the right thing by the person,” Rizzi continued, “We’ll have a lot more information on him next week.”

So we’ll see if Olave returns this year, but it’s clear his coach won’t be rushing him back into action. That’s the right approach. If Olave decides to put his body in harm’s way again, that’s his decision to make. Kudos to Rizzi and the team for recognizing that.

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Chris Olave still consulting specialists to treat his concussion symptoms

Chris Olave has dealt with many concussions in his New Orleans Saints career. His most recent injury has him visiting with specialists:

Chris Olave was seen at practice on Tuesday, but that isn’t necessarily a sign of his return being imminent. By the sounds of things, the New Orleans Saints wide receiver missing the remainder of the season is still a good possibility.

Darren Rizzi shared an update on Olave’s progress: “He’s met with a bunch of people, he’s got another meeting coming up here next week. He’s met with some different specialists throughout the country.”

New Orleans is rightfully being cautious with Olave, who is currently on injured reserve.

Olave suffered a concussion against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 10. It was his second concussion of the season and fourth of his three-year professional career. The severity may have been the same, but the aftermath of this one looked the worse visually of all his concussions.

Rizzi insists Olave is in a good place. With emphasis being on the person over the player, that’s a positive sign. This upcoming meeting appears to be a big one in understanding what Olave’s immediate future looks like. The Saints will “have a lot more information on him next week.”

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Chris Olave officially placed on Saints injured reserve

Chris Olave has officially placed on the New Orleans Saints injured reserve, sidelining him for at least the next four games:

The New Orleans Saints are placing Chris Olave on injured reserve. This doesn’t necessarily end his season, but it does guarantee he will be out for at least the next four games.

The Saints have a bye week coming soon, so it’s important to note Olave has to miss four games, not four weeks. He won’t be eligible to return until Week 15 against the Washington Commanders if he returns at all.

Darren Rizzi has spoken about prioritizing Olave the person over the player. That’s an important and correct stance when it comes to concussions. Placing him on injured reserve keeps him from trying to rush back to the field. There should be legitimate conversations on whether it is worth it to come back for Olave long term.

Olave has suffered four concussions in his professional career, including two this year very close to each other. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Olave miss the remainder of the season.

Saints wide receiver to go on injured reserve, may be done for the year

Multiple reports say Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is expected to go on injured reserve. He may be done for the year after his second concussion in 2024:

This was the development we expected, but that doesn’t make it any less tough to reckon with. The New Orleans Saints are expected to place wide receiver Chris Olave on injured reserve Saturday, per multiple reports — NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill first reported the news, which was confirmed by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

It’s a tough blow to a Saints receiving corps that’s already undermanned with the loss of Rashid Shaheed to season-ending knee surgery. There’s a possibility Olave’s year could be finished, too. He’s suffered two concussions this season and four in his NFL career. That many brain injuries in so short a time may carry serious long-term health ramifications for him.

So keep an eye out. Veteran backup Cedrick Wilson Jr. has been dealing with an injury, too, so the only healthy wideouts on the Saints’ 53-man roster this weekend are Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Mason Tipton, and Jermaine Jackson. Expect at least one of Equanimeous St. Brown, Dante Pettis, and Kevin Austin Jr. to be promoted from the practice squad soon.

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Injured reserve is ‘on the table’ for Saints star wide receiver

Injured reserve is ‘on the table’ for New Orleans Saints star Chris Olave. Four concussions in just three years is a lot for the wide receiver to consider:

Chris Olave won’t be active when the New Orleans Saints kick off with the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, and there’s at least a possibility the star wide receiver won’t play another down this season. Olave suffered the fourth concussion of his brief NFL career last week, which can have long-lasting impacts on his health and wellbeing.

All that’s certain is that Olave has already been ruled out for Sunday’s game. Beyond that, who can say?

“Everything’s on the table,” interim head coach Darren Rizzi said Friday, when injured reserve came up as a possibility for Olave. That determination hasn’t been made yet and Olave is still meeting with concussion specialists and team doctors before making a decision.

A stint on injured reserve would last at least the next four weeks, sidelining Olave for three home games with the Falcons, Cleveland Browns, and Los Angeles Rams as well as the bye in Week 12. But if he’s still feeling symptoms and struggling with this brain injury, the better move could be to end his season altogether. We’ve reached a point where his career in pro football should be considered seriously. Stay tuned for further updates.

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Chris Olave carted off after scary hit vs. Panthers

Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was carted off on an immobilizing stretcher after a scary hit from Panthers safety Xavier Woods:


This is the worst thing to see in an NFL game. New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was carted off on an immobilizing stretcher after a scary hit from Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods. Derek Carr’s pass sailed too high for Olave to catch it and the wideout was sandwiched between Woods and the Panthers defender covering him. He remained motionless on the turf after the collision.

Players from both teams crowded around as the medical staff attended to Olave, as did Saints coach Dennis Allen. It’s an awful situation. Olave raised his arms after he was placed on the cart, which is a great sign, but he’s already suffered three concussions in his brief NFL career. He practiced this  week with a unique Guardian cap over his helmet and considered wearing it into the game, but ultimately chose not to. Few players do.

Hopefully this wasn’t as serious as it looked, but Olave shouldn’t be expected to return to this game against the Panthers. Stay tuned for updates.

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Chris Olave practicing with unique Guardian cap at Saints practice

Whether or not he wears it into a game, using a Guardian cap could be a good idea for Chris Olave after several concussions:

NFL teams are required to wear Guardian caps on their helmets at practice, and players have the option to wear it during live game action, but only a few around the league have chosen to do so: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Josh Whyle, James Daniels, Jabrill Peppers, Kylen Gransen, Rodney Thomas II, De’Von Achane, and Luke Goedeke, among others.

It appears Chris Olave may be on the way to being the first New Orleans Saints to select that option. ESPN’s Katherine Terrell made an interesting observation at Wednesday’s practice. Olave was the only player whose Guardian cap had a fleur-de-lis on it. Most of the protective headwear is blank, so the external team logo may suggest it could be worn in-game.

Whether or not he goes through with it, wearing a Guardian cap could be a good idea for Olave. He has a history of concussions that dates back to college. In the pros, he’s suffered one concussion in each season. The wide receiver just returned from a concussion last week, and took a big hit in the first game that led to him heading to the blue tent in his first game back.

Three concussions in three years is serious and wearing the Guardian cap adds at least one extra preventative measure for Olave. Any more concussions, and we’ll start having some uncomfortable conversations about Olave’s future.

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Saints’ best wide receiver cleared concussion protocol ahead of Week 8 game

It’s been trending this way all week, and Chris Olave is officially good to go for the Saints Week 8 matchup against the Chargers

Chris Olave has cleared concussion protocol, and he will play against the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday. Dennis Allen made the announcement Friday afternoon. The New Orleans Saints offense needed their lead receiver back badly.

Technically, Olave only missed the “Thursday Night Football” game against the Denver Broncos, but he missed essentially the entire Tampa Bay Buccaneers game as well.

With Derek Carr likely returning next week, there’s a high probability this will be Olave’s only opportunity to play a full game with Spencer Rattler.

Expect Rattler to target Olave early and often, especially with Rashid Shaheed out for the season. Rattler targeted Olave early against Tampa Bay, but there was no chance to target him often as the concussion happened on his first catch.

Having Olave back in the mix is a welcomed sight after the Saints. They aren’t deep at wide receiver, and that was apparent last week without Olave and Shaheed.

The position group didn’t get any deeper. They signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Still, it’ll be on Olave to carry the weight of the position.

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