**Saints Wide Receiver Likely to End Season on Injured Reserve**
Chris Olave’s 2024 season may have concluded prematurely, as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the New Orleans Saints wide receiver is expected to be placed on injured reserve due to a recent concussion. Olave sustained the injury in Week 9, and he has already been ruled out of the Saints’ upcoming game against the Atlanta Falcons. With the IR designation, Olave will miss at least the next four games, but the expectation is that he will not return for the rest of the season.
This week, Olave is consulting with medical specialists to assess his NFL future, according to Nick Underhill from NewOrleans.football. Given the nature of the injury, Rapoport notes that the Saints may be cautious with Olave’s recovery, especially considering the team’s slim playoff hopes. This concussion marks his second head injury of the season, adding to a history of concussions since his rookie year in 2022. Olave’s recurring brain injuries have prompted him to seek further medical advice and to consider long-term health implications.
After a one-game absence due to his earlier concussion, Olave returned to play in Week 8, sporting a newly designed helmet. Despite the upgrade, he opted not to wear a Guardian Cap, a piece of headgear some players wear to reduce concussion risks. However, the Saints are now focusing on Olave’s health and safety, prioritizing his well-being over any immediate return to the field.
The Saints, who began the season with a promising 2-0 record, have since fallen into a seven-game losing skid, which ultimately led to the firing of head coach Dennis Allen. With Olave sidelined, along with fellow wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, who is also out for the season, the Saints are left with a depleted receiving corps. Veterans Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, as well as undrafted free agents Mason Tipton and Jermaine Jackson, will have to step up to fill the gaps.
As the Saints’ season outlook dims, the focus shifts to rebuilding under new leadership and ensuring the long-term health of key players like Olave, whose future will largely depend on the results of his consultations with specialists.
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