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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (head) wasn't able to play yet again in Week 16. His head injury has held him out for a significant amount of time now.
He's a competitor and hasn't indicated that he wants to retire. The team also hasn't said they'll be shutting him down at any point, but this late in the season, anything can happen on that front.
So when will he return to play?
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Chris Olave Injury Update
If you haven't already seen it, we'll link below the play where Olave was injured. He suffered his second record concussion of the season in Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers. A defender slammed into his head on an in-breaking route, knocking out the former Ohio State Buckeye cold.
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
No. 12 hasn't played in a contest since then. That makes seven total weeks without football. His practice window was opened on December 19, and he practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Friday and Saturday of last week before being ruled out.
WR Chris Olave is cleared to practice and have opened his return to play window. #Saints
— Erin Summers (@ErinESummers) December 19, 2024
The return to practice makes it seem likely that he'll take the field again in Week 17, though nothing will be certain until later in the week. We expect him to return on Sunday, though.
Chris Olave Fantasy Football Outlook
The absence of New Orleans' starting quarterback, Derek Carr (hand), makes Olave a risky start moving forward. Carr won't be able to play again this year. Olave is a highly talented WR, with refined route-running skills, great awareness, good body control, and excellent speed and quickness.
CHRIS OLAVE MY GOODNESS 😳 @chrisolave_
📺: #NOvsMIN on FOX
pic.twitter.com/ADTS9rOR6l— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 12, 2023
But the team's quarterback situation is highly suspect, with QB Spencer Rattler set to make another start after completing just 15 of his 30 pass attempts for 153 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. So the Saints' WR1 is a tough player to trust, though he gets an easy matchup against a struggling Las Vegas Raiders team. Treat him as a WR3/FLEX with plenty of risk.
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