New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave has been taken to the hospital following a scary hit to his head against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Olave was motionless on the ground after the hit and had to be carted off the field, and the Saints PR team has since released an update on the former Ohio State star’s status since being taken out.
“WR Chris Olave (concussion) is OUT for the remainder of the game. He has movement in all extremities and is being evaluated at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center for further evaluation,” the tweet read.
Carolina safety Xavier Woods appeared to make contact with Olave’s helmet after a throw by Saints QB Derek Carr over the middle of the field in the first quarter.
Olave was motionless on the ground as medical personnel began to tend to him, while both players and coaches from either sideline surrounded Olave. He was then loaded onto a stretcher and carted off the field. The Panthers received a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness against Woods for the hit.
The former Ohio State star wideout has 31 catches on 43 targets this season for 387 yards and a touchdown. Before leaving the game, Olave had one catch on one target for 13 yards against the Panthers.
Olave totaled over 2,000 receiving yards during his first two seasons in the NFL, but is not on pace to match the 1,000-yard mark he totaled during those two years. With the New Orleans Saints largely struggling to throw the football this season, it’s no surprise Olave’s numbers are down this season. Still, he’s the top receiver on the New Orleans roster statistically.
Despite losing Olave for the game to a concussion, the Saints will move forward and try to improve to 3-6 on the season with a win against Carolina on the road on Sunday. Fans can watch the rest of the game live on CBS.