During the New Orleans Saints’ Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers, Chris Olave suffered another concussion, and this one was the scariest one yet. After a big collision, Olave fell to the ground and laid there motionless. He was eventually placed on a spine board and carted off the field.
During the game, Olave took a trip to a local hospital for monitoring, but everything checked out and he was able to fly home with the team. However, the situation still had a gravity to it, as this was Olave’s second concussion in four weeks.
Now, the young wideout is taking a thorough approach before a decision is made about him returning to the field. On Wednesday, Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi revealed that Olave had been meeting with specialists. Rizzi said that right now, the focus is on Olave the person, so everyone is taking time to make sure the best decision is made for his future.
#Saints WR Chris Olave will consult with specialists after suffering his second concussion this season and the fourth documented one in his career.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 7, 2024
Interim HC Darren Rizzi said: "He wants to go thoroughly through the process and make sure he’s making the best decision for Chris… pic.twitter.com/uAzbf9G7VG
Chris Olave is meeting with specialists after second concussion this season
Not only is this Olave’s second concussion this season, and second in four weeks, it’s the fourth concussion of his three-year NFL career, and fifth in five years, dating back to his time at Ohio State. That amount of concussions in such a relatively short time will definitely lead to serious conversations.
Whether it be retirement or taking some time off like the rest of the season or a stint on Injured Reserve (four games), everything has to be on the table for Olave as he tries to figure out the best path forward.
On Sunday, not long after he sustained the concussion, a fan told Olave’s brother, Josh, that it may be time to have the is-it-worth-it conversation. Olave’s brother responded it’s definitely not worth it on this Saints team. While that likely has a lot to do with frustrations for New Orleans this year, Josh highlights a good point.
The Saints are 2-7, and just fired their head coach and traded away their best defensive player. Sure, there are eight games left, but this season is essentially over for New Orleans. It would be completely understandable if the team shut Olave down for the year, or at least put him on injured reserve.