Chris Olave leaves Saints-Panthers game on stretcher after taking hard hit
Chris Olave had a very forgettable and very short Sunday afternoon for the New Orleans Saints.
The former Ohio State star wideout, who was the 11th overall pick of the 2022 draft by the Saints, took a jarring hit over the middle midway through the 1st quarter of Sunday’s game at Carolina. It appeared that Olave injured his head on the scary play, and he was taken off the field in Charlotte on an immobilizing stretcher.
Prayers: #Saints WR Chris Olave is down on the field after taking a hit to the head.
He is being stretchered off of the field.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 3, 2024
Panthers safety Xavier Woods made the dangerous hit on Olave, as Saints quarterback Derek Carr floated a pass that was a little too high for Olave to catch at around his own 45-yard line. Olave was sandwiched in between Woods and cornerback Michael Jackson on the play, and Olave laid motionless on the field in the immediate aftermath as teammates and officials came to check on him.
Olave did raise his arms after he was placed on the cart, which is always a good sign, but he has already suffered 3 concussions during his brief NFL career.
Well, make that a 4th concussion, as the Saints later tweeted that Olave had indeed sustained yet another concussion and would miss the rest of the game. The Saints also said Olave has movement in all extremities and is undergoing further evaluation at a medical center in Charlotte.
WR Chris Olave (concussion) is OUT for the remainder of the game. He has movement in all extremities and is undergoing further evaluation at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center. @Saints
— New Orleans Saints PR (@SaintsPR) November 3, 2024
Olave was a 2-time first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2020 and 2021 at Ohio State. He played 4 seasons in Columbus, compiling 176 catches for 2,711 yards and 35 touchdown receptions for the Buckeyes. The 35 touchdown catches are an Ohio State school record, a massive accomplishment considering the wide receivers who have come through Columbus over the years.