New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) has now missed two consecutive games and had an additional bye week to rest after being knocked out of his Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers. There are reasons to question his status for the rest of the season.
Olave was an integral part of a Saints offense that surged to the forefront of the NFL's best in the first two weeks of the season. Injuries to other players on the roster brought them crashing back down to earth, but when he plays, he has a ton of value in fantasy football.
So when will Olave take the field again?
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Chris Olave Injury Update for Fantasy Football
Unfortunately, it will be some time before he can play again. He was sent to the hospital after taking a scary helmet-to-helmet hit after trying to catch a pass attempt. He crumpled to the ground and was clearly knocked out cold. He didn't move for some time. He obviously didn't return to the game.
This is exactly what Tom Brady was referencing when he talked about good Quarterbacks not putting their receivers in dangerous situations.
Derek Carr just sent Chris Olave to the hospital.
— Zak (@zakeekinlaw) November 3, 2024
Saints quarterback Derek Carr has now become somewhat infamous for his hospital passes, whether that's a rightful designation or not. This one was a literal hospital ball, though. It was Olave's second concussion of the season, which is likely what prompted the team to place him on IR. His long-term health could be at risk.
The Saints had their bye week in Week 12, meaning No. 12 has only missed two of the required four games he must sit out. This should give him a lot more time to recover from his latest traumatic brain injury. The Saints haven't ruled him out for the season, which likely means he'll return at some point.
We saw quarterback Tua Tagovailoa be placed on IR after his Week 2 concussion, and he missed the required four games before returning. It seems that we'll see something similar for Olave.
Chris Olave Fantasy Football Outlook
Especially with the injury to de-facto No. 1 WR Rashid Shaheed (knee), which has him out for the season, Olave will have a valuable role in a great offense. WR Bub Means (ankle) was placed on injured reserve due to an ankle injury, and will be eligible to return one week before Olave does.
another game, another play of chris olave getting absolutely clobbered pic.twitter.com/BpMgPvmtYP
— Trace (@yfntrace) October 27, 2024
Olave will be the No. 1 wideout when he returns, and without much good competition for targets. He has a penchant for taking massive hits, though. Fantasy managers may find themselves holding their breaths watching him play. Still, he's a must-start in PPR leagues when he returns, and could flirt with double-digit PPR points every game after he's back.
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