Saints interim HC Darren Rizzi speaks on if Chris Olave will play again this season

The New Orleans Saints have been without their best receiver Chris Olave since Week 9, when he was carted off the field. The young wideout sustained a concussion that led to the scary scene of him going to the hospital during the game. Fortunately, he was able to return to the stadium before the game was over and flew home with the team.

However, since it was Olave’s second concussion in four weeks, he and the team decided it was best to place him on injured reserve (IR), and give him time to rest and meet with specialists. Being on IR sidelined him for at least four weeks, but many assumed he’d be done for the season since New Orleans hasn’t won much this year.

Now, as the team prepares for Week 15, Olave is eligible to return, but the team hasn’t given much clarity on if he’ll play again this season. On Wednesday, interim head coach Darren Rizzi said Olave definitely won’t be activated this week, but all options are still on the table.

The young receiver has been around the team, at practices and traveling to games, but Rizzi says no decision has been made, as Olave is still meeting with specialists.

Saints still haven’t decided if Chris Olave wil play again this season

As much as everyone would love to see Olave on the field making plays, the consensus is that he shouldn’t play another snap this season. The Saints are 5-8, with a very slim chance of making the playoffs, and a lot of the team’s key players are sidelined. Simply put, playing Olave would be putting him at risk in what many consider to be meaningless games.

After already suffering two concussions this season, and five in the last five years, it’s best for Olave to just take the rest of the year off. New Orleans likely understands that, even if the team won’t say it, but it’s safe to assume Chris Olave won’t take the field again this year.

READ MORE