Chris Olave took a big hit from Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods during his team’s 23-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 9.
The New Orleans Saints wide receiver was stretchered off the field and diagnosed with another concussion. It was Olave’s fourth documented concussion during his NFL career, raising concern about his future in the sport.
Many blamed Derek Carr for Olave’s injury as the quarterback threw the ball into tight coverage where the wide receiver was susceptible to getting hit. The Ohio State product is set to miss multiple games, and fans on social media have called out Carr for it.
Fans React to Chris Olave’s Injury Update
The Saints have placed Olave on the injured reserve. He is set to miss a minimum of four games, but there is a possibility that the 24-year-old wideout will not play again this season. Here’s how fans reacted to this news:
Derek Carr really needs to be locked up for what he did to him.
— 𝕺𝖞✞𝖓🌴 (@OyinMustShine) November 9, 2024
“Prayers up for Olave. Get healthy, man! Stop throwing hospital balls Derek Carr,” said one fan.
“Derek Carr really ruin careers,” added another fan.
Got bigger clearly from his rookie year but he gotta come back with a Takeo Spikes neck, also no more snaps with Carr in his career https://t.co/3vKHztBLwv
— Marlon (@ItsRaineyDoe) November 9, 2024
“He might need to hang it up til Carr retires,” wrote one fan about Olave.
“Carr owes him money,” added another fan.
Derek Carr handing out concussions pic.twitter.com/eLd8ULb7Gi
— 🗣️ (@19solz) November 3, 2024
The Saints drafted Olave with the 11th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Despite poor quarterback play, he had 1,000+ receiving yards in each of his first two seasons in the league. Had he not gotten injured, Olave would have had another 1,000-yard season, but it doesn’t seem like he will play again this year.
He is meeting with a concussion specialist to assess his situation, as many concussions can have long-lasting effects. Similar to Tua Tagovailoa, Olave will have to make a difficult choice, but since the Saints have already given up on the season, the wide receiver has the luxury of sitting out the rest of the season to recover fully.
Saints Are in a Very Difficult Spot
The Saints started the season in style with two blowout wins but have lost seven straight games since then. They recently fired head coach Dennis Allen, who had a record of 18-25 with the team since taking over in 2022.
Darren Rizzi will be the Saints’ interim head coach for the rest of the season as the team prepares for a multi-year rebuild. Per Spotrac, New Orleans is projected to be $77.3 million over the cap after this year, and even if they completely tear down their roster, it will take years for them to contend again.
The Saints traded Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders at the trade deadline, and they will likely part ways with several of their veteran players before next season.
Carr signed a $150 million deal with the Saints last year and is under contract until 2027. If the NFC South franchise releases him after this year, it will have to take a $60.13 million dead cap hit.
The Saints have played with the salary cap for many years, but it has not resulted in success. They must go into a rebuild to have a chance of contending in the future, similar to what the Broncos did as they took an $85 million dead cap hit after releasing Russell Wilson.
If general manager Mickey Loomis keeps his job, he must look to bring in a young head coach and give him two to three years to restructure the roster, just like the Detroit Lions did with Dan Campbell. The Saints could end up with a top-five draft pick, enabling them to draft a quarterback, which will be a big step toward rebuilding the team.