Things are looking quite grim for the New Orleans Saints, as a scintillating 2-0 start was followed by a Derek Carr injury and six consecutive losses. With Chris Olave back and the lowly Carolina Panthers on the schedule, perhaps their luck could start to turn around with a strong showing.
Olave could have been in for a big day against a very beatable Panthers defense, but he was knocked out of the game in the first quarter. Olave was ruled out of the game with a concussion after taking another big hit; one of the scarier hits anyone will see during the 2024 NFL season.
Olave was sandwiched between two different Panthers defenders on a violent hit that drew four different yellow personal foul flags. Olave was motionless on the ground for a few seconds, which prompted everyone on the New Orleans offense to take a knee and crowd around their budding star.
Olave was taken off the field on a stretcher and carted away. While the Saints did eventually take a 6-0 lead after a pair of field goals, the bigger long-term takeaway from this game will be Olave's health.
#Saints WR Chris Olave just took a hard hit on a pass over the middle. Trainers rushed out immediately, and players are down on one knee. The cart is coming out.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 3, 2024
UPDATE: Olave has been discharged from the hospital, and he is scheduled to return to New Orleans with the rest of the Saints tonight. This is certainly good news after how scary the injury looked.
WR Chris Olave has been discharged from the hospital and will return to New Orleans with the team later this evening. @Saints https://t.co/M3mfHi7D4B
— New Orleans Saints PR (@SaintsPR) November 3, 2024
Chris Olave injury update: Saints WR leaves with concussion
Olave hasn't had the most scintillating start to the season, but his combination of great hands, vertical ball tracking, and splendid route-running should make him a long-term piece in New Orleans. This injury is crushing for all parties, as Olave is so vital for the bones of this Saints passing game.
With Rashid Shaheed already hurt, look for Cedrick Wilson and Mason Tipton to receive more targets until No. 12 is healthy again. Tight ends like Juwan Johnson and Tayson Hill might be in line for a production bump, though the passing game as a whole will likely be much less effective.
The result of this game is secondary compared to Olave's long-term health. With any luck, the injury won't be as bad as it seemed on the broadcast and the former Ohio State star could rejoin his teammates on the field as soon as possible.