By Ross Jackson
CHARLOTTE, NC — New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave took a scary hit over the middle of the field in the first quarter of today’s game against the Carolina Panthers. He was sandwiched by two defenders on a target that led to the wide receiver falling to the field unconscious for several minutes.
Saints WR Chirs Olave down on the field after nasty hit vs Panthers pic.twitter.com/mTFqMbxjnP
— 104.5 ESPN (@1045espn) November 3, 2024
Upon falling to the ground after the high hit, Olave was quickly tended to by medical staff. He was also surrounded by both teammates and Carolina Panthers players who rushed to the field to show support. Head coach Dennis Allen was one of the first to Olave as he was being checked on and tended to at midfield.
He was placed on a backboard and taken off the field by cart. As he was being moved from the field to the cart, he was shaking the hands of his teammates and other players around him, showing movement in his extremities. An important positive in this otherwise gut-wrenching situation.
Panthers safety Xavier Woods was flagged for an unnecessary roughness penalty on the hit.
Olave is being taken to a local area hospital for further evaluation and has been ruled out with a concussion. He does have movement in all extremities. This is Olave’s second concussion of the season, fourth of his NFL career. He was also evaluated for a concussion after taking another hit up high against the Los Angeles Chargers last week.
UPDATE (Nov. 3, 2:07 p.m. CT): Olave’s brother, Josh Olave, shared on social media that he received a phone call from the wide receiver. He said that Olave is “up and active.” A good sign for the young receiver.
UPDATE (Nov. 3 3:38 p.m. CT): The Saints have announced that Olave has been discharged from the hospital and will travel back to New Orleans with the team.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
