New Orleans may have lost its best wide receiver for the remainder of the 2024 regular season.
On Saturday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport shared that Saints wideout Chris Olave (concussion) was placed on injured reserve (IR) and might not play again this year.
“Given the nature of his injury, the team’s record and the fact that he’s been seeing specialists, there is a real chance Olave has played his down in 2024,” wrote Rapoport.
Olave suffered his second concussion of the season in Week 9’s 23-22 road loss to the Panthers (2-7).
He also suffered a concussion in Week 6 against the Buccaneers.
By being placed on IR, Olave must miss at least four games. Based on his history and the Saints (2-7) being closer to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft than the playoffs, it would likely be in his and the team’s best interest to sit out the rest of the season.
Olave has suffered four diagnosed concussions in three NFL seasons. Nola.com sports columnist Rod Walker noted Olave suffered a concussion in college at Ohio State (2020).
Since being selected with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Olave has been one of the league’s best young wide receivers.
He had 1,000-plus receiving yards in his first two seasons and was coming off his best game in 2024 in Week 8 against the Chargers (eight receptions, 107 yards) before suffering his concussion.
He leads the Saints with 400 receiving yards.
ESPN Analytics ranks Olave as the league’s seventh-best pass-catcher out of 150 qualifying wide receivers and tight ends.
Olave’s rookie contract has one year remaining, but the Saints can pick up his fifth-year option for 2026 this offseason before the May 1, 2025 deadline.
It’s unclear how Olave’s injury history will affect his long-term future. He’s earned a second, more lucrative contract, but his health should be the priority.
New Orleans might need to get used to life without its talented wide receiver.
