Chris Olave Dismisses Concussion Worries, Trade Rumors

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    METAIRIE, La. — As Chris Olave continues his career with the New Orleans Saints, he’s keen to address two main points. First, he’s not worried about any long-term effects from multiple concussions. Second, he hopes to spend his entire career with the team.

    While Olave has been actively participating in offseason noncontact practices and the mandatory minicamp this week, he hasn’t appeared in an NFL game since November 3. That day, playing against the Carolina Panthers, he was tackled hard by safety Xavier Woods during a route across the field. He lay on the field for several minutes before being taken to a hospital in Charlotte.

    Though Olave was cleared to practice again in December, he did not rejoin the game lineup afterward. Reflecting on his time away, Olave said, “It was tough, man, at first; I ain’t never really sat out that long. That was really my first major injury. … Just not being able to go and practice and go to meetings with my guys was the worst part, but I feel like I’m ready. I was training and lifting and everything in December. So, I feel like I’m good.”

    During his first three seasons, Olave experienced at least four confirmed concussions. His first occurred as a rookie in 2022 during a game against Seattle on October 9. He missed only one game after that and still finished the season as the leading receiver for the team with 72 catches for 1,042 yards. In the 2023 season, though he had a concussion in Week 12 against Atlanta, he did not miss any games, concluding that season with 87 catches and 1,123 receiving yards, once again leading the team.

    However, last season saw him sideline for nine games due to two concussions. He only missed one game after the first concussion against Tampa Bay on October 13 before the November 3 incident in Carolina ended his season. Following his latest concussion, Olave sought advice from medical experts.

    “They said I was OK back in December when they cleared me. It was just unlucky situations I was being put in,” Olave commented. “God’s got me at the end of the day. I’m not worried about nothing. So, just got to go out there 100% and be ready.”

    Kellen Moore, the Saints’ new rookie head coach appointed this February following his Super Bowl victory as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator, is not overly focused on Olave’s concussion history. “I don’t worry too much about that,” Moore stated. “We feel really good about Chris. He’s had an excellent offseason, an excellent career so far and (has) an excellent future.” He added, “We feel like we’ve got a good one in him.”

    This sentiment seems shared by other teams who have reportedly expressed interest in trading for Olave as the Saints aim to rebuild following a five-win 2024 season. Additionally, the team lacks a seasoned quarterback since Derek Carr retired suddenly in May.

    All four of New Orleans’ current quarterbacks have less than three seasons of experience and no NFL wins. Nonetheless, Olave remains hopeful about their potential, referring to rookie Tyler Shough, second-year pro Spencer Rattler, and third-year pro Jake Haener. “The young QBs are good,” Olave said. “I don’t think they’re going to come in and have hiccups. I feel like they got a good head on their shoulders. They got a good IQ. They’re ready to play NFL ball. So, I’m excited.”

    When asked about the trade rumors, Olave simply waved them aside with a laugh. “It’s all rumors, man,” he remarked. “In the offseason, everybody’s trying to have something for clicks. So, I love it here. I love the front office. I love my coaches. I’m excited to be here, and I want to be here forever.”