Saints receiver Chris Olave leaves game against Buccaneers after brutal hit

Another week, another injury to a key player for the New Orleans Saints. On the team’s first offensive series of the Week 6 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, wide receiver Chris Olave was on the receiving end of a massive hit.

Medical staff checked on Olave on the field, then he made his way to the blue tent on the sideline, and ultimately back to the locker room.

Sideline reporter Pam Oliver announced he was being evaluated for a concussion, and the Saints have officially announced that he’s out for the game with a concussion. This is a tough loss, as the team absolutely needs him.

Chris Olave ruled out against Buccaneers with concussion

To add insult to injury, Olave fumbled after the hit, and Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. recovered the fumble for a scoop and score. That put the Saints in a two-touchdown hole just a few minutes into the game.

New Orleans already entered the game without Derek Carr and several other key starters, so things were already tough. The game gets even harder now that Olave can’t return.

This is less than ideal for rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, who’s making the first start of his career. He entered the game without multiple starting linemen, and now he’s missing his No. 1 wideout. Still, he has managed to look promising in the game, despite the scoreboard not being in New Orleans’ favor early in the game.

With Olave out, Rattler and the Saints will rely on Rashid Shaheed, Bub Means, and Cedrick Wilson Jr. New Orleans’ incredibly thin wide receiver unit will be tested, but the group must deliver if the Saints are going to find a way to win. If they don’t, New Orleans will fall to 2-4, losing a fourth straight game.

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