Chris Olave
Wide Receiver #12
Chris Olave News
Chris Olave Among the Elite Tier of Fantasy Football Wide Receivers
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave has emerged as one of the most elite fantasy contributors through the first two weeks of the 2026 NFL season. Olave has at least 22.8 PPR points in each of the two games. With a total of 18 catches, 268 yards, and one touchdown, he ranks as the overall WR3 in PPR leagues so far. We've seen Olave deliver high-level fantasy production in a variety of ways, including high volume, high yardage totals, and touchdown upside. That's good news for fantasy managers, because he's not dependent on one specific stat (catches, yards, or touchdowns) to carry his entire fantasy stock. The Saints' passing attack looks really good this year, and Olave is the focal point of that unit. He continues to rank as a mid-to-high WR1 heading into a very favorable matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Sep 23, 2026 9:06 PM EST
Chris Olave Officially Active for Week 2
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) is officially active for the Week 2 game on Sunday on the road against the Baltimore Ravens, according to Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune. Olave was removed from practice early this week as a precaution due to a hamstring injury, but he returned on Friday and will play this weekend. Fantasy managers will want to keep the Saints' WR1 locked into their starting lineups, even against a tough Ravens defense in their home opener. In the Week 1 season-opening overtime loss to the Detroit Lions on the road, the former first-rounder caught 10 of his 13 targets for 182 yards. Olave has developed excellent chemistry with young quarterback Tyler Shough and should once again be heavily targeted on Sunday, as long as he does not have a setback with his hamstring.
Sep 20, 2026 7:38 AM EST
Chris Olave Expected to Play in Week 2 Without Limitations
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) is expected to play in Sunday's Week 2 contest against the Baltimore Ravens without any limitations, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. Olave is officially listed as questionable, and although he missed practice on Thursday, Underhill reports that his absence was purely precautionary. Having Olave available is great news for the Saints. For starters, they're already without Jordyn Tyson (hamstring), so they couldn't afford to lose another receiver for this game against a top AFC opponent. Additionally, Olave is an enormous playmaking threat, as he caught 10 passes for 182 yards in Week 1. He continues to rank as a flashy WR1 option for Sunday's battle with Baltimore.
Sep 20, 2026 4:20 AM EST
Chris Olave Travels With Team to Baltimore
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) traveled with the team to Baltimore ahead of Sunday's game, according to Nick Underhill. Olave remains questionable after the hamstring issue surfaced late in the week. He was added to the injury report Thursday and was limited in both Thursday and Friday's practices. Making the trip keeps him in play for Sunday, but it doesn't change the designation. Olave opened the season with 10 catches for a career-high 182 yards on 13 targets against Detroit. Fantasy managers should still have a backup plan ready with his status likely to come down closer to kickoff.
Sep 19, 2026 10:37 AM EST
Chris Olave Remains a Must-Start If Active Against Ravens
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave went off against the Lions in Week 1, recording 10 receptions for 182 yards on 13 targets in the overtime loss. It was an encouraging sign for fantasy managers who drafted him in the early rounds, as Olave and quarterback Tyler Shough have continued to build on the strong chemistry they showed throughout the 2025 season. Those same managers will need to monitor his status for Week 2's clash against the Ravens closely, as Olave popped up on the injury report Thursday for "precautionary reasons" with a hamstring injury. The questionable tag has followed him to the Saints' final injury report, and his status will be worth watching ahead of Sunday. If he is unable to suit up, receivers Devaughn Vele, Barion Brown and Bryce Lance would be next up. If active, Olave is a must-start WR1 this week.
Sep 18, 2026 8:14 PM EST
Chris Olave Questionable to Play in Week 2
New Orleans Saints top wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) is listed as questionable for the team's Week 2 game on the road against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. Olave was pulled from practice early on Thursday as a precaution due to a minor hamstring injury, but he was limited again on Friday and is not a slam dunk to play this weekend. With that said, barring a setback, Olave appears to be on the right side of questionable. Fantasy managers will want to check back on his status before the team's game this Sunday in Baltimore to confirm that he is officially active. If the 26-year-old is active, as RotoBaller expects, he should be treated as a must-start fantasy wideout after going off in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions in overtime with 10 catches on 13 targets for 182 yards. Olave has built some strong chemistry with young quarterback Tyler Shough and has been a target magnet in head coach Kellen Moore's offense.
Sep 18, 2026 10:22 AM EST
Chris Olave's Hamstring Injury is Not Serious
Updating a previous report, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) left practice early on Thursday as a precautionary measure, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. It is nothing that is expected to be a problem for Olave. The Saints listed Olave as questionable after he was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. This might have set off the alarm bells for many fantasy managers, but all signs point to the former first-round wideout being a full-go for the Week 2 contest on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens on the road. The 26-year-old had an excellent first game of the 2026 season in the team's Week 1 season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions in overtime, catching 10 of his 13 targets for 182 yards in a tough 31-30 loss. Olave showed last year that he has great chemistry with young quarterback Tyler Shough, setting career highs across the board in catches (100), targets (156), receiving yards (1,163), and touchdowns (nine) in 16 games. He will be a must-start this weekend in Baltimore in fantasy.
Sep 17, 2026 1:07 PM EST
Chris Olave Added to Saints Injury Report with Hamstring Issue
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) was added to the team's Thursday injury report as a limited practice participant, per Jeff Nowak of Audacy Sports. Olave was not listed on the injury report on Wednesday, which suggests he could have felt something in the hamstring during practice this week. The 26-year-old had a monster game in his team's Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions, recording 10 catches for 182 yards on 13 targets. If he's unable to practice in full on Friday, Olave will likely enter the weekend with an injury designation. Should Olave be sidelined for the Saints' Week 2 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans wideouts Devaughn Vele and Bryce Lance, as well as tight end Juwan Johnson (illness), could all be in line for increased workloads.
Sep 17, 2026 12:27 PM EST
Chris Olave Getting Peppered with Targets Left and Right
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is proving to be a magnet for the football. The 26-year-old had 27 targets over his final two games of the 2025 season, and he kicked off the 2026 campaign with 13 targets against the Detroit Lions. He converted those 13 targets into a dominant performance that included 10 catches for 182 yards. He wasn't able to find the end zone, but he absolutely made up for it with his high volume and total receiving yards. Quarterback Tyler Shough is poised for a huge Year 2 leap, and Olave projects as one of the biggest beneficiaries. Staying healthy is the biggest obstacle for Olave, who missed nine games in 2024 but was sidelined for just one week last season. Concussions are a specific concern for Olave, but it's worth noting that he has added an extra layer of protection with a Guardian Cap this year. As long as he can stay on the field, Olave is a locked-and-loaded WR1 with top-five potential. He should keep things rolling in Week 2 as the Saints prepare for another potentially high-scoring game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Sep 16, 2026 9:20 PM EST
Chris Olave a Must-Start WR1 Option in Favorable Week 1 Matchup
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave put together the most productive season of his career in 2026, recording 100 catches for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns on 156 targets across 16 games. The 26-year-old's numbers really took off in the second half of the season after Tyler Shough took over as the Saints' starting quarterback. Entering 2026, Olave will have a full season playing alongside Shough and should dominate target share in New Orleans, with Saints rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) opening the year on Injured Reserve. In Week 1, Olave and the Saints will travel to Detroit to take on the Lions. Detroit's pass defense fell apart down the stretch of the 2025 season, allowing more than 250 passing yards in four out of its final seven games. The Lions' secondary still has major questions in 2026, as the team will be without both starting safeties in Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee) to begin the year. All in all, Olave profiles as a high-end WR1 option for fantasy managers in Week 1.
Sep 12, 2026 12:11 PM EST
Chris Olave Has a Clear Path to Massive Early-Season Target Share
After an injury-marred 2024 campaign, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave re-emerged as a high-end pass-catcher in 2025. Across 16 games, the 26-year-old recorded 100 catches for 1,163 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 156 targets. Olave finished the season on an absolute tear while playing alongside then-rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, recording 24 catches for 352 yards and four touchdowns across his final three games played. Entering 2026, Olave and Shough look well-positioned to continue building on the chemistry they formed at the end of last season. With Saints rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) starting the year on Injured Reserve, Olave also appears poised to dominate target share in New Orleans, at least early on. Particularly in PPR-scoring formats, Olave carries top-12 fantasy wide receiver upside into 2026.
Sep 3, 2026 12:09 PM EST
Another Healthy Season Could Cement Chris Olave's Place Among the Fantasy Elite
While the discovery of a blood clot in his lung kept New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave out of the final game of the year and prevented him from completing his first 17-game season, his health and availability were major storylines of what would become a career-year and a WR6 finish. While his frightening history of concussions hasn't suddenly gone away, seeing Olave at his peak for a full season has made him an easier click in the early rounds of 2026 drafts, particularly after the way he finished the year with rookie Tyler Shough under center. Shough took over as starter in Week 9, and after a week of adjustment, Olave was the WR2 on a points per game basis from Week 10 through the end of the year, trailing only Puka Nacua. With first-round pick Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) slated to miss at least the first four games of his rookie season after starting the year on injured reserve, Olave could again be hyper-targeted in one of the league's most high-volume, up-tempo offenses, making him a potential week-winner to begin the season. At RotoBaller's WR11, there is still considerable injury concern baked into his profile, but for the risk-tolerant, he is capable of providing WR1 upside while often found closer to a WR2 cost.
Aug 31, 2026 6:45 AM EST
Chris Olave Returns to Practice on Wednesday
After an injury scare on Tuesday, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (upper body) returned to training camp practice on Wednesday, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Olave got the wind knocked out of him when he landed hard on his back during practice on Tuesday, and he sat out the rest of practice. It was a brief scare for the team's best pass-catcher, but the 26-year-old is now completely fine and will be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season in early September. Second-year quarterback Tyler Shough will continue to lean on Olave, with rookie first-rounder Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) set to miss the beginning of the season. Olave, a former 11th overall pick from Ohio State, was rewarded with a four-year, $132 million contract extension last month after setting career highs in catches (100), targets (156), receiving yards (1,163), and touchdowns (nine) in 2025 in his fourth year in the league. With enough volume in head coach Kellen Moore's up-tempo offense, Olave should continue to have a high floor in 2026, making him at least worthy of low-end WR1 status in fantasy football drafts. He is ranked as RotoBaller's WR10 in half-PPR scoring.
Aug 26, 2026 4:16 PM EST
Chris Olave Appears Fine After Late-Practice Scare
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave gave the team a scare near the end of Tuesday's practice, but head coach Kellen Moore believes he's "all good." Katherine Terrell reported that Olave was slow to get up after attempting to catch a deep pass, then walked down the sideline under his own power with athletic trainers before leaving the session. Practice ended only a few plays later. Moore's update afterward takes much of the concern out of the initial scene. Olave is coming off the best season of his career, catching 100 passes for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games. Based on Moore's immediate assessment, Tuesday's exit appears to have been a minor scare rather than something that should significantly alter Olave's fantasy outlook.
Aug 25, 2026 11:48 AM EST
Chris Olave Appears to Get Day Off Thursday
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave appears to be getting the day off Thursday, according to Nick Underhill. Olave was not taking part as the Saints opened their joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams, two days after he was heavily involved against Dallas. There hasn't been any indication from Underhill's initial report that an injury is behind Thursday's absence. Olave is coming off the best season of his career, catching 100 passes for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games while earning second-team All-Pro honors. The Saints also signed him to a multi-year extension shortly before training camp. After a busy summer and a strong showing against the Cowboys earlier this week, Thursday looks like a chance for New Orleans to give its top receiver a break.
Aug 20, 2026 9:46 AM EST
Chris Olave Returns to Practice After Trip to Medical Tent
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (undisclosed) briefly exited joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday before returning to the field, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Olave made an impressive contested catch and then walked off the field with athletic trainers to the medical tent. It is unclear what exactly the physical issue was for Olave, but it obviously was not serious enough for the Saints to shut him down for the rest of practice. First-round rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) looks likely to miss the start of the 2026 regular season due to ongoing hamstring issues, so the Saints worked out receivers Chase Claypool and Josh Reynolds on Tuesday. Olave is the team's unquestioned WR1 heading into his fifth NFL season after being a first-round pick back in 2022. Even with rookie QB Tyler Shough taking over last year and while missing the regular-season finale with a blood-clot issue, Olave managed career highs in catches (100), targets (156), receiving yards (1,163), and touchdowns (nine) in 16 starts. Olave should be a lock for another 1,000-yard season in 2026 in an up-tempo offense if he is healthy. Consider him a top-15 fantasy wideout.
Aug 18, 2026 4:13 PM EST
Chris Olave a Flashy Option in Saints Offense Trending Upward
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is trending up ahead of the 2026 season. Last year was pivotal for Olave, who needed to prove that he could both produce and stay healthy over a full season. He ended up having a great year as he caught 100 passes for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns across 16 games. All three of those statistics represented career highs, and he ended up finishing as the overall WR6 in PPR leagues. Although Olave is not a lock to replicate his top-six campaign from last year, he's still worth drafting at his ADP of 25.1. He's being drafted as an early third-round pick in most fantasy drafts, and he is typically the 11th receiver off the board. That falls in line with his ranking as the WR11 in RotoBaller's latest redraft rankings for 2026. We're intrigued about the possibility of drafting Olave, who is the top pass-catching option in an offense trending upward. Tyler Shough is due for a big Year 2 at quarterback, and the addition of Jordyn Tyson and Travis Etienne Jr. should help elevate this offense to the next level. Olave is a very strong WR1 for fantasy managers who choose to spend their first 1-2 picks on a running back or tight end.
Aug 16, 2026 5:53 PM EST
Chris Olave on the Practice Field on Thursday
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was seen on the practice field at training camp on Thursday after he was forced to leave Wednesday's practice with a trainer due to a heat-related issue. Olave dealt with a blood-clot issue late last year that forced him out of the regular-season finale, but he's past that and is without restrictions in training camp this summer. The Saints likely exercised precaution in removing Olave from the field on Wednesday, and it looks like he's just fine. The 26-year-old former first-rounder in 2022 from Ohio State enters his fifth year in the NFL as the Saints' unquestioned WR1, especially after inking a four-year, $132 million extension with the team recently. Despite missing a game and working with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough in 2025, Olave set career highs in catches (100), targets (156), receiving yards (1,163), and touchdowns (nine), giving him a pretty high fantasy floor as at least a low-end WR1 target in upcoming fantasy football drafts. Rookie first-rounder Jordyn Tyson could take some targets away, but there should be enough to go around in head coach Kellen Moore's up-tempo offense.
Aug 6, 2026 9:28 AM EST
Chris Olave Exits Practice With Apparent Heat Issue
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave left Wednesday's practice with a trainer in what appeared to be a heat-related issue, according to Erin Summers. The team did not immediately provide an update, so it is unclear whether Olave will miss any additional practice time. He is coming off career highs of 100 receptions, 1,163 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns across 16 games last season. His status at the Saints' next practice should provide a better indication of whether there is anything to worry about.
Aug 5, 2026 9:08 AM EST
Chris Olave Returns to Team Drills
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (chest) returned to team drills on Friday, according to Ross Jackson of LouisianSports.net. The 26-year-old recently signed a four-year contract extension worth up to $132 million after breaking out in 2025. Olave was medically cleared after dealing with a blood clot that sidelined him for the closing game of the 2025 season, which was his only absence of the year. The former Ohio St. star will look to build on last season after hauling in 100 catches for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns on 156 targets. He should see more favorable matchups after the team selected Jordyn Tyson with the eighth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. On paper, the two are perfect complements to each other's game. Additionally, Olave will get to work with Tyler Shough for a full season, which could lead to bigger statistical numbers this year.
Jul 31, 2026 1:04 PM EST
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