Chris Olave released from hospital; Saints WR suffered concussion due to illegal hit | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

INGLEWOOD, CA – OCTOBER 27: New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) warming up before the game between the Saints and the Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

David Dennis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The New Orleans Saints excluded Wide receiver Chris Olave is out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers after suffering a concussion on an illegal hit across the middle of the field.

David Newton @DNewtonespn

The scene at BOA where Saints WR Chris Olave is taken care of by Panthers S Xavier Woods after an illegal hit. Scary. Both head coaches on the field. pic.twitter.com/1XGPCVIFnv

Olave, who was still on the field and appeared to be unconscious after being struck in the head, “has movement in all extremities and is undergoing further evaluation at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center,” the team said. He has now been released from the hospital.

New Orleans Saints PR @SaintsPR

WR Chris Olave has been released from the hospital and will return with the team to New Orleans later this evening. @Saints https://t.co/M3mfHi7D4B

Chris Olave @chrisolave_

Thank you God, thank you for all the love and prayers, I'm fine🙏🏾🙏🏾

Xavier Woods, the Panthers safety who hit Olave on the play, was penalized for unnecessary roughness. While Olave was on a stretcher, he was able to move his arms while being carried off the field.

Nick Underhill @nick_underhill

Chris Olave moves his arms and pats people up from the stretcher

His brother later provided the following update:

Josh Olave @josh_olave

Bro just called, he's awake and active🙏🏾

Olave's former teammate, wide receiver Michael Thomas, was harsh on quarterback Derek Carr for throwing the ball over the middle into double coverage during a lengthy rant on social media:

Olave, 24, has now suffered five concussions in his playing career (four with the Saints, one in college at Ohio State), including one this season in October. He was also evaluated for a concussion during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers last week.

This has become a major problem for the talented young receiver, who posted more than 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons. He got off to a slower start this year, recording 31 catches for 387 yards and a touchdown in his first seven games, but remained the team's most talented option in the passing game.

The Saints will now be without Olave and his winger Rashid Shaheed, which will severely limit Carr's weapons. That's a difficult development for a Saints team that had lost six straight games through Sunday after starting the year 0-2.

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