Chris Olave walked off the Caesars Superdome turf under his own power for the New Orleans Saints with under two minutes remaining, and the short trip to the sideline was a scare that almost added to the weight of the final margin losing 45-24 to the Atlanta Falcons.
Saints Suffer Scare In Loss
New Orleans trailed Atlanta 45-17 when Tyler Shough hit Olave on a five-yard completion. On the tackle, Falcons linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. appeared to catch the receiver’s left knee. Olave got up, took a few uneven strides, and left the field without help. He did not come back.
The timing invites a hard question for head coach Kellen Moore. The game was already decided. Keeping a star receiver in for late snaps in a blowout is a familiar NFL habit, but it is a habit that looks different once that player is limping. Olave had already produced, finishing with eight catches for 116 yards. Those numbers now sit beside an injury that did not need to happen for the outcome to be settled.
Was Playing Olave Late A Mistake?
Hindsight. Yes. The Saints still scored on the same drive Olave was hurt. Devaughn Vele’s touchdown reception pulled the final score to 45-24. The points did not change the result, and they arrived after the offense’s top target had already exited favoring a knee. In a season in which NFC South losses still carry weight, the late production looks expensive.
In the Post-Game, HC Kellen Moore said Chris Olave was “Ok” when asked and moved on. Walking off is better than being carted, yet knee injuries often look manageable on the field and worsen after swelling sets in. Team doctors I am sure have looked at Olave, and will do more during the week. At this point fans can breathe easy that he should play next week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Saints Banged Up For Week 5?
They have injuries already to running back Travis Etienne Jr., and Alvin Kamara was also getting banged up in tonight’s game. If Kamara can’t go for the Saints, it will be Kendre Miller and CJ Donaldson who together managed a paltry 27 yards off of 9 carries tonight.
Olave has been on a tear this season with 35 receptions for 491 yards and 1 touchdown. He is averaging 14.0 yards per reception which is incredible. This is the type of season that gets you in the All-Pro discussion, and that’s how good he has been this year.
Luckily for the Saints, they avoided a major injury. Now at 1-3, you face the 4-0 Vikings who rank as the best NFL Defense in several categories and will need their top offensive weapon.
Saints Lose 45-24; Chris Olave Avoids Injury Scare