New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (head) was limited for the second straight day this week on Friday as he tries to work his way back from Injured Reserve. Olave had his 21-day practice window to return from IR opened on Thursday. The 24-year-old is making progress after suffering multiple concussions earlier this season, but interim head coach Darren Rizzi already stated that the former first-rounder is "probably doubtful" to make his return in Week 16 on Monday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Fantasy managers stashing Olave that are still alive in the playoffs shouldn't have been considering Olave as a realistic starting option anyways on Monday night. If Olave is able to make his return in Week 17 (fantasy championships in most leagues) versus the Las Vegas Raiders, he'll likely be on a snap count with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler most likely running the offense.
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said that wide receiver Chris Olave's (concussion) 21-day practice window to return from Injured Reserve was opened on Thursday. Olave was cleared by a concussion specialist on Tuesday to resume practicing, so he will get some practice reps in this week and see how things go from there. It's good news for Olave, but it by no means should indicate that he will play in Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers on Monday night. And from a fantasy perspective, although he might still be worth stashing if you're alive in the fantasy playoffs, nobody should have their eyes on using him in lineups this week. At best, he'd likely draw a questionable tag to play on Monday night. And even if Olave looks good in practice the next few days and ends up being active, he'd be at risk of a limited role in his first game back. The Saints are on the brink of elimination and aren't going to risk Olave's health.
According to Erin Summers of ESPN, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) is trying to "get back into the swing of things" and is "not closing the door on his return at some point this season." Olave suffered his second concussion of the season during their Week 9 tilt against the Carolina Panthers. While the star wideout may face an uphill battle to return down the stretch, it is promising to see that the team is keeping the door open for him. However, with the Saints out of the playoff picture, the team may opt to sideline their No.1 pass coach if he does not make any significant progress over the next few weeks. Before this second concussion, Olave averaged just 50.0 yards per game but did tally at least 75.0 yards in four of his eight games. While Olave remains out, fantasy managers should expect Marquez Valdes-Scantling to operate as the lead wideout in the offense.
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said on Wednesday that wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) is scheduled to meet with a specialist next week. Rizzi also said Olave is in "great spirits" and that he's been present for practice in recent weeks as he recovers from his second concussion of 2024. The Saints placed the former first-rounder on Injured Reserve after he suffered his second concussion against the division-rival Carolina Panthers in Week 9. He has one more week before he's eligible to return from IR for Week 15 against the Washington Commanders, but it remains unclear if the Saints will activate him by then, and it will likely depend on what specialists say next week. Whether Olave returns at all this year could depend on whether the Saints are alive in the postseason race when Olave is ready to return. New Orleans is currently 4-8 but only two games back in their division.
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said that wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) is in a good place as the team begins preparing to face the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday in Week 13. Olave was present for the team's practice on Tuesday. He has seen several specialists and has another appointment coming up soon. He was placed on Injured Reserve on Nov. 9 after suffering his third concussion of 2024. The earliest the former first-rounder will be eligible to return would be for a Week 15 contest against the Washington Commanders. Since that's the start of the fantasy playoffs in most leagues, fantasy managers should keep the 24-year-old stashed. However, there's no guarantee Olave will be able to return that week or before the end of the regular season. For the foreseeable future, receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Cedrick Wilson Jr. will have elevated roles for the Saints.
Chris Olave Not Being Ruled Out For Rest Of Season
The New Orleans Saints are not ruling wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) out for the rest of the season. However, Olave was placed on Injured Reserve over the weekend, meaning he'll have to miss at least three more games before being eligible to return in Week 15 against the Washington Commanders on Dec. 15. The 24-year-old has already suffered two concussions (four in his career) in 2024, though, so the Saints aren't going to rush him back right away if he's still not 100 percent. Fantasy managers with a shot to make it to the playoffs should probably keep the former first-rounder stashed in an IR spot, but don't be surprised if he doesn't end up making it back later this year. Rookie Mason Tipton has not been able to capitalize so far with both Olave and Rashid Shaheed (knee) out, while Marquez Valdes-Scantling went over 100 yards receiving with two scores in the Week 10 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) was officially placed on the Injured Reserve list on Saturday. The wideout suffered two concussions this season, bringing his total to four throughout his career. He's expected to meet with an "independent concussion specialist." However, while Olave is guaranteed to miss at least four games, there's a chance he won't be back on the field again this season. Of course, this isn't good news for a Saints team that already lost Rashid Shaheed (knee) for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign. It's also not ideal for Derek Carr, who will be without his top pass-catcher. With that said, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Mason Tipton, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling could see a bump in fantasy production with Olave and Shaheed on the shelf. Alvin Kamara may also see more work, both on the ground and as a receiver out of the backfield.
The New Orleans Saints will place wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) on injured reserve Saturday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Olave has suffered two concussions this season and four throughout his young career, prompting him to meet with specialists and potentially re-evaluate his future in the NFL. The Saints are unsure if Olave will return to the field this season, and at the very least, his placement on IR rules him out for a minimum of four games. New Orleans has already lost Rashid Shaheed (knee) for the rest of the season, so Olave being sidelined once again will create significant opportunities for depth receivers like Cedrick Wilson Jr., Mason Tipton, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) has officially been ruled out for the Week 10 game against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons this Sunday. Olave suffered his second concussion of the season and fourth of his career in the Week 9 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and could still land on Injured Reserve, which would require him to miss a minimum of four games. He visited with head specialists this week and is probably going to miss several games at the very least. Fantasy managers should plan for the worst, which would be a trip to IR. Rashid Shaheed (knee) and rookie Bub Means (ankle) are both out for the season, leaving rookie Mason Tipton, Cedrick Wilson Jr. (shoulder) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling as the team's starters at wideout this weekend. The Saints will be leaning more on tight ends Taysom Hill and Juwan Johnson and running back Alvin Kamara much more.
New Orleans Saints wide receivers Chris Olave (concussion) and Cedrick Wilson Jr. (shoulder) both missed a second straight day of practice this week on Thursday. Olave suffered his second concussion of the year in the Week 9 loss to the division-rival Carolina Panthers and had to be carted off. The 24-year-old has met with specialists this week and doesn't appear ready to return for Week 10 versus the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. Fantasy managers may want to prepare for a multi-week absence from Olave. With Wilson also trending in the wrong direction for the weekend, rookie Mason Tipton could be quarterback Derek Carr's top target in addition to Marquez Valdes-Scantling and tight end Juwan Johnson. Expect the Saints to lean more heavily on running back Alvin Kamara and tight end Taysom Hill with Olave looking unlikely to play.
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