ESPN's Katherine Terrell reports that the New Orleans Saints are picking up wide receiver Chris Olave's fifth-year option on Wednesday. Despite playing in a career-low eight games in 2024 in his third year in the NFL due to multiple concussions, the Saints picking up the former first-rounder's fifth-year option was a no-brainer. The 24-year-old Ohio State alumni is scheduled to make $16.8 million guaranteed on his fifth-year option in 2026. Olave cleared 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first two NFL seasons on 159 total receptions and nine touchdowns, so he has proven he has the chops to operate as a WR1 for fantasy managers when he's healthy. However, his head injuries from last year could scare many fantasy managers off this fall, as well as New Orleans' quarterback situation with Derek Carr possibly needing shoulder surgery.
Apr 23, 2025 1:54 PM EST
According to Katherine Terrell of ESPN, the New Orleans Saints have ruled out wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) for Sunday's regular season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The star wideout has been sidelined since suffering his second concussion of the season during their Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Even though Olave has been able to participate in practice as a full participant over the past two weeks, Olave has not been able to pass the league's protocol to officially suit up. The 24-year-old has only been able to participate in just six full games this season. Across this small sample size, Olave tallied at least 80 receiving yards in four of them and found the end zone once. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Kevin Austin to lead the passing attack on Sunday.
Jan 4, 2025 3:50 PM EST
The New Orleans Saints have listed wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) as questionable to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Florida. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi said the decision on whether Olave plays will be "all-encompassing." Olave has been practicing in full for the last two weeks, but Saints have already been eliminated from the playoffs, and NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill says he'd be surprised if the 24-year-old is allowed to suit up. The former first-round pass-catcher hasn't played since suffering his second concussion of the season back in Week 9, so even if he were to return this weekend, he probably wouldn't see his usual number of snaps on offense. He'll need to come off Injured Reserve on Saturday if the Saints want to let him play. Olave had a 32-400-1 line in eight games before suffering his second concussion.
Jan 3, 2025 6:37 PM EST
According to the team, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) practiced in full again on Thursday. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status during Friday's practice as he may not only be nearing a return but could avoid an injury designation as well. The star wideout has been sidelined since suffering his second concussion of the season during Week 9. Olave has begun to practice the past few weeks but has yet to officially clear the league's protocol. During his limited action this season, the Ohio State product has still been productive, as he has surpassed 80.0 receiving yards in four of the six full games he participated in. Even playing in a struggling offense, Olave would remain a solid WR2 in all formats operating as the clear WR1 in Week 18 facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Jan 2, 2025 4:54 PM EST
According to the team, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) logged a full practice on Wednesday. Olave was a full participant in practice last week but was unable to pass concussion protocol in time to suit up in Week 17. The wideout has been sidelined since suffering his second concussion of the season during Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers. Even though Olave has been limited by injuries all season, he has continued to showcase his high upside when on the field. During four of the six full games he played in, Olave tallied at least 80 yards in each contest. If Olave can return for the final game of the season, he should be viewed as a solid WR2 in all formats despite the poor QB play New Orleans has had with Derek Carr (hand) sidelined.
Jan 1, 2025 4:50 PM EST
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) will practice on Wednesday. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi said that Olave is one of the team's injured players asking to return for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The head coach said that Olave has been looking like the Olave of old, but his availability is a matter of his conditioning level and the medical staff giving the green light. The 24-year-old former first-rounder was put on Injured Reserve after a second concussion this year. He has not played in a game since Week 9, so even if he were to come off IR and play in Week 18 in a good matchup, Olave would be a volatile play in fantasy lineups in a bad offense that is being run by rookie QB Spencer Rattler. The Saints have already been eliminated from postseason play, so it's still unlikely Olave makes a return this year.
Dec 30, 2024 6:32 PM EST
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) was not activated from Injured Reserve on Saturday and is inactive for the Week 17 game on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. Olave practiced in full from Wednesday through Friday and was deemed questionable to return this weekend, but the Saints are playing things safe and will hold the 24-year-old for another week. Olave, a former first-rounder, hasn't played since suffering his second concussion of the year back in Week 9. The good news for the Saints is that Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest) is active against the Raiders, so it will be him, Kevin Austin Jr., Dante Pettis and Cedrick Wilson Jr. serving as New Orleans' top wideouts in a great matchup against the three-win Raiders. However, for fantasy purposes, none of the Saints' pass-catchers can be considered very reliable flex plays, even in deeper formats.
Dec 29, 2024 11:37 AM EST
According to John Hendrix of Sports Illustrated, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Olave was able to log three consecutive full practices this week, which puts him in a good position to return to action. The top wideout has been sidelined since suffering his second concussion during their Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Fantasy managers should monitor his status on Saturday, as Olave will need to be activated off the injured list ahead of Sunday's game. Despite facing numerous injuries throughout the season, Olave tallied at least 80.0 yards in four of the six full games he played in this season. If Olave can return to action, he should be viewed as a decent flex option given that he is the lone proven option in this passing attack with Spencer Rattler under center.
Dec 27, 2024 4:55 PM EST
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) logged his second straight full practice of the week. Olave has been on the injured reserve since suffering his second concussion of the season during Week 9. Olave returned to practice last week but was only a limited participant. However, seeing him open the week as a full participant in back-to-back sessions puts him in a good position to return to action on Sunday. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during Friday's session, as he may be able to avoid an injury designation. Despite battling numerous injuries this season, Olave tallied at least 80.0 receiving yards in four of the eight games he played in. If he can suit up, he should be viewed as a decent flex option, given that he will be the lone proven pass-catching option in a depleted New Orleans offense.
Dec 26, 2024 5:30 PM EST
New Orleans Saints Chris Olave (concussion) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. Olave was ruled out for Monday's game against the Green Bay Packers and has been sidelined since Week 9 due to a concussion. The 24-year-old was designated to return from injured reserve last week and is trending in the right direction toward playing in Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He will need to be officially activated later this week in order to have a chance to suit up in Week 17. Olave would give the banged-up Saints wide receiver corps a boost after catching 32 passes for 400 yards and a touchdown over eight games. The former first-round pick would be a low-end WR3 this week if active. The Saints were recently shut out, and New Orleans' offense has been downgraded, with Derek Carr (hand) sidelined. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the situation and hope Olave can return to action for fantasy championship week.
Dec 25, 2024 6:07 PM EST
The New Orleans Saints have decided to keep wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) on the sidelines for at least one more week. New Orleans opened his window for activation from injured reserve on Thursday but Olave has yet to complete his progress through the league's concussion protocol. He is listed as out on the team's official injury report ahead of their Week 16 game against the Green Bay Packers. Olave was placed on injured reserve after suffering his second concussion of the season in Week 9, which took place just three weeks after his previous concussion. It was the fourth such injury in the 24-year-old's three years as a pro. In comments to the media, interim head coach Darren Rizzi said of Olave's potential return, "If he can make it back for the end of the year, great. If he doesn't, he doesn't," indicating the team is in no rush to bring him back in 2024.
Dec 22, 2024 3:19 AM EST
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (head) was limited for the second straight day this week on Friday as he tries to work his way back from Injured Reserve. Olave had his 21-day practice window to return from IR opened on Thursday. The 24-year-old is making progress after suffering multiple concussions earlier this season, but interim head coach Darren Rizzi already stated that the former first-rounder is "probably doubtful" to make his return in Week 16 on Monday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Fantasy managers stashing Olave that are still alive in the playoffs shouldn't have been considering Olave as a realistic starting option anyways on Monday night. If Olave is able to make his return in Week 17 (fantasy championships in most leagues) versus the Las Vegas Raiders, he'll likely be on a snap count with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler most likely running the offense.
Dec 20, 2024 6:39 PM EST
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said that wide receiver Chris Olave's (concussion) 21-day practice window to return from Injured Reserve was opened on Thursday. Olave was cleared by a concussion specialist on Tuesday to resume practicing, so he will get some practice reps in this week and see how things go from there. It's good news for Olave, but it by no means should indicate that he will play in Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers on Monday night. And from a fantasy perspective, although he might still be worth stashing if you're alive in the fantasy playoffs, nobody should have their eyes on using him in lineups this week. At best, he'd likely draw a questionable tag to play on Monday night. And even if Olave looks good in practice the next few days and ends up being active, he'd be at risk of a limited role in his first game back. The Saints are on the brink of elimination and aren't going to risk Olave's health.
Dec 19, 2024 3:57 PM EST
According to Erin Summers of ESPN, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) is trying to "get back into the swing of things" and is "not closing the door on his return at some point this season." Olave suffered his second concussion of the season during their Week 9 tilt against the Carolina Panthers. While the star wideout may face an uphill battle to return down the stretch, it is promising to see that the team is keeping the door open for him. However, with the Saints out of the playoff picture, the team may opt to sideline their No.1 pass coach if he does not make any significant progress over the next few weeks. Before this second concussion, Olave averaged just 50.0 yards per game but did tally at least 75.0 yards in four of his eight games. While Olave remains out, fantasy managers should expect Marquez Valdes-Scantling to operate as the lead wideout in the offense.
Dec 11, 2024 4:57 PM EST
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said on Wednesday that wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) is scheduled to meet with a specialist next week. Rizzi also said Olave is in "great spirits" and that he's been present for practice in recent weeks as he recovers from his second concussion of 2024. The Saints placed the former first-rounder on Injured Reserve after he suffered his second concussion against the division-rival Carolina Panthers in Week 9. He has one more week before he's eligible to return from IR for Week 15 against the Washington Commanders, but it remains unclear if the Saints will activate him by then, and it will likely depend on what specialists say next week. Whether Olave returns at all this year could depend on whether the Saints are alive in the postseason race when Olave is ready to return. New Orleans is currently 4-8 but only two games back in their division.
Dec 5, 2024 6:12 PM EST
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said that wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) is in a good place as the team begins preparing to face the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday in Week 13. Olave was present for the team's practice on Tuesday. He has seen several specialists and has another appointment coming up soon. He was placed on Injured Reserve on Nov. 9 after suffering his third concussion of 2024. The earliest the former first-rounder will be eligible to return would be for a Week 15 contest against the Washington Commanders. Since that's the start of the fantasy playoffs in most leagues, fantasy managers should keep the 24-year-old stashed. However, there's no guarantee Olave will be able to return that week or before the end of the regular season. For the foreseeable future, receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Cedrick Wilson Jr. will have elevated roles for the Saints.
Nov 26, 2024 7:42 PM EST
The New Orleans Saints are not ruling wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) out for the rest of the season. However, Olave was placed on Injured Reserve over the weekend, meaning he'll have to miss at least three more games before being eligible to return in Week 15 against the Washington Commanders on Dec. 15. The 24-year-old has already suffered two concussions (four in his career) in 2024, though, so the Saints aren't going to rush him back right away if he's still not 100 percent. Fantasy managers with a shot to make it to the playoffs should probably keep the former first-rounder stashed in an IR spot, but don't be surprised if he doesn't end up making it back later this year. Rookie Mason Tipton has not been able to capitalize so far with both Olave and Rashid Shaheed (knee) out, while Marquez Valdes-Scantling went over 100 yards receiving with two scores in the Week 10 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Nov 11, 2024 5:24 PM EST
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) was officially placed on the Injured Reserve list on Saturday. The wideout suffered two concussions this season, bringing his total to four throughout his career. He's expected to meet with an "independent concussion specialist." However, while Olave is guaranteed to miss at least four games, there's a chance he won't be back on the field again this season. Of course, this isn't good news for a Saints team that already lost Rashid Shaheed (knee) for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign. It's also not ideal for Derek Carr, who will, who will be without his top pass-catcher. With that said, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Mason Tipton, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling could see a bump in fantasy production with Olave and Shaheed on the shelf. Alvin Kamara may also see more work, both on the ground and as a receiver out of the backfield.
Nov 9, 2024 4:31 PM EST
The New Orleans Saints will place wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) on injured reserve Saturday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Olave has suffered two concussions this season and four throughout his young career, prompting him to meet with specialists and potentially re-evaluate his future in the NFL. The Saints do expect Olave will return to the field this season, but his placement on IR rules him out for a minimum of four games. New Orleans has already lost Rashid Shaheed (knee) for the rest of the season, so Olave being sidelined once again will create significant opportunities for depth receivers like Cedrick Wilson Jr., Mason Tipton, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Nov 9, 2024 9:13 AM EST
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) has officially been ruled out for the Week 10 game against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons this Sunday. Olave suffered his second concussion of the season and fourth of his career in the Week 9 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and could still land on Injured Reserve, which would require him to miss a minimum of four games. He visited with head specialists this week and is probably going to miss several games at the very least. Fantasy managers should plan for the worst, which would be a trip to IR. Rashid Shaheed (knee) and rookie Bub Means (ankle) are both out for the season, leaving rookie Mason Tipton, Cedrick Wilson Jr. (shoulder) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling as the team's starters at wideout this weekend. The Saints will be leaning more on tight ends Taysom Hill and Juwan Johnson and running back Alvin Kamara much more.
Nov 8, 2024 3:18 PM EST
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