New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave released from hospital after suffering second concussion this season

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave has been released from the hospital after suffering a concussion during Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte. Following the team’s narrow 23-22 loss, Olave will return to New Orleans with his teammates, as confirmed in a team statement.

Saints head coach Dennis Allen reported that all medical evaluations conducted on Olave were positive and that he is back with the team. In a show of gratitude, Olave took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to thank fans for their support, assuring them that he would be alright.

The injury occurred midway through the first quarter when Olave attempted to catch a pass across the middle of the field. He was hit in the head and neck area, laying motionless on the ground as medical personnel attended to him. He was stabilized and placed on a backboard, but fortunately displayed movement in his arms and feet as he was carted off the field, eliciting cheers from players and fans at Bank of America Stadium.

Immediately following the incident, the Saints ruled Olave out of the game. He was taken to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center for further medical evaluation, where it was confirmed that he had movement in all extremities. The play resulted in a penalty for Panthers safety Xavier Woods, who was flagged for unnecessary roughness.

Reflecting on the impact of Olave’s injury, Coach Allen noted that it can be emotionally challenging for a team to regroup after witnessing a teammate go down, especially considering it was Olave’s second concussion of the season. “I think sometimes getting yourself emotionally back from things like that can be difficult,” Allen said. “When you see a guy going down for the second time in a season, it’s tough to bounce back from that.”

At the time, Allen did not provide further updates on Olave’s condition, leaving fans and teammates anxious about the player’s recovery.

Olave, who was drafted by the Saints in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft from Ohio State, has a history of head injuries dating back to his college career. This latest incident marks his second time entering the NFL’s concussion protocol this season. Previously, he missed a game after suffering a concussion on October 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Ahead of his return in last week’s matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Olave had switched to a different model of helmet and was seen practicing with a Guardian Cap, a protective accessory designed to reduce head injuries. However, during the game against the Chargers, he played without the Guardian Cap but was evaluated for a concussion nonetheless, ultimately being cleared to continue playing.

In a conversation with reporters prior to this week’s game, Olave mentioned that he was “still considering” the use of a Guardian Cap for future games but felt confident in the protective qualities of his new helmet. “The hit I took in the game didn’t hurt as much as it did with the other helmet,” Olave noted. “Once I switched helmets, I felt like I’d be good without the Guardian Cap.”

As of this season, Olave has made a significant impact on the field, accumulating 387 receiving yards and one touchdown over seven games. His performance has been a key asset for the Saints, and fans are hopeful for his swift recovery.

This story will continue to evolve as more information becomes available regarding Olave’s health and participation in upcoming games. For now, his release from the hospital is a positive sign, and the team is optimistic about his return to the field.