Chris Olave has been the Saints' most consistent receiver during the 2023 NFL season, but the team will have to do without him the rest of the way against the Falcons.
Olave exited the game in the second half after suffering an apparent head injury while trying to make a jump-ball catch against A.J. Terrell.
The Saints receiver went straight to the blue medical tent and was placed in the NFL's concussion protocol.
#Saints WR Chris Olave left the game after landing hard on this jump ball attempt.
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) November 26, 2023
pic.twitter.com/ZFTknAxheH
After his stay in the medical tent ended, Olave headed to the New Orleans locker room without his helmet. Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported that Olave was able to "dap up" a couple of his defensive teammates as he exited.
Chris Olave looks like he's headed to the locker room without his helmet. Stopped to dap up some of his defensive teammates on the way.
— Luke Johnson (@ByLukeJohnson) November 26, 2023
New Orleans' offense was on the field when Olave headed to the locker room, so that didn't bode well for his status moving forward.
And indeed, it was announced that Olave would miss the rest of the game after suffering concussion symptoms.
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Before leaving, Olave had recorded a team-high seven receptions for 114 yards. No other player had more than 36 yards (tight end Taysom Hill).
So, losing Olave is a blow to New Orleans' receiving corps, especially since the team already lost Rashid Shaheed to an injury earlier in the game.
Saints WR depth chart
The Saints had five receivers available for their game on Sunday. They were as follows:
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Chris Olave |
| 2 | Rashid Shaheed |
| 3 | A.T. Perry |
| 4 | Lynn Bowden Jr. |
| 5 | Keith Kirkwood |
The Saints were already without their normal No. 2 receiver Michael Thomas for their game against the Falcons. So, if both Olave and Shaheed can't return, then they will be down their top three wide-outs as they look to take command of the NFC South.
Prayers up to the phenoms 22&12 🙏
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) November 26, 2023
Perry, Bowden and Kirkwood have a combined 51 catches during their careers, so they are light on experience as they look to replace Olave and Shaheed. That could lead the Saints to rely more on Alvin Kamara as a receiver out of the backfield while tight end Taysom Hill could see more action as well.
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Juwan Johnson would normally be a candidate to see more action as well, but the team's top tight end also left the game after suffering an injury. He headed to the locker room shortly after Olave, so if he also can't return, then the New Orleans offense will be in even worse shape.
