New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave has been diagnosed with a blood clot in one of his lungs, leading to his absence from the team’s season finale against the Atlanta Falcons. This information was confirmed by a source to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The 25-year-old athlete was previously listed on the injury report due to an illness after missing practice on Wednesday.
Despite this unexpected health issue, Olave has no prior history with blood clots. He is anticipated to make a full recovery within the next month and is expected to participate in the Saints’ offseason program when it begins in April.
Olave’s Performance and Season Context
Olave concludes his fourth season with the Saints having achieved a career-high of 1,163 receiving yards and securing nine touchdowns. As a 2022 first-round draft pick, he is poised to enter his fifth-year option if he and the Saints do not agree on a contract extension before the beginning of the 2026 season.
Throughout the current season, Olave has been managing a recurring back injury. In a recent game against the Tennessee Titans, he successfully played after receiving treatment in the days leading up to the match. Olave expressed his determination to play all 17 games this season, a milestone he had aimed for after missing the latter half of the previous season due to two documented concussions.
“I think it’s going to be my first time in my NFL career playing all 17 games,” Olave said. “It means a lot, man. One of my main goals for this year was trying to play all 17, despite the injuries. I am super grateful to be in this position.”
Reflections on Career Challenges
Last season, Olave faced significant challenges regarding his health and even contemplated retirement due to the severity of his concussions. He reflected on this period, stating, “It was a tough time last year… I prayed about it. My family was around me, and they stuck by my side. I just gave it another try, and it’s been a great year.”
New Orleans Football was the first to report Olave’s current health condition. As the Saints look to wrap up their season, the team and fans alike will be hoping for Olave’s swift recovery and return to form in the upcoming offseason.
