Olave will miss at least four games as he seeks answers from specialists after receiving repeated blows to the head area in at least three games this season.
Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi said Friday that IR was a possibility for Olave, who is consulting with specialists to find the best path forward after suffering four confirmed concussions since being selected in the 2022 draft. .
“We’re trying to determine what’s best now for the long term,” Rizzi said. “There’s a process he’s going through. He met with our people and then there are people outside the building…Chris will be out right now for the short term, and then we’ll make a long-term decision.” term, but he is meeting with several people and with everyone here, our medical staff has been in contact with all of them.
Olave suffered a concussion against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6 and missed a Thursday night game against the Denver Broncos. Olave was hit in the head area and was evaluated for a concussion when he returned to play against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 8, but was allowed to return to the game. Olave was hit in the head by Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods in Week 9 and left the game on a backboard before being transported to a local hospital.
Woods was fined $16,683 for his hit on Olave, which also resulted in a penalty. It was Woods’ ninth unnecessary roughness penalty since entering the league in 2017, the most in the NFL in that span.
New Orleans has placed its two best receivers on IR this season. Rashid Shaheed underwent season-ending knee surgery. The team is also missing its top two cornerbacks after Paulson Adebo suffered a season-ending femur injury and Marshon Lattimore was traded to the Washington Commanders on Tuesday.
The Saints made a number of other moves on Saturday, activating defensive back Will Harris and guard/center Shane Lemieux from IR and elevating wide receivers Kevin Austin Jr. and Dante Pettis for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. Center Erik McCoy, who returned to practice this week after groin surgery, was downgraded to out, and Nephi Sewell, who returned to practice after tearing an ACL last season, was also downgraded to out. . Running back Alvin Kamara has been named the team’s permanent captain for the remainder of the season.
