While Chris Olave said he never truly felt that his career was in jeopardy, anyone who looked on when he was carted off the field in Week 9 of last season would have a hard time saying the same.
The Saints star WR had just suffered his fourth concussion in three seasons and his third diagnosed concussion in a span of three weeks. He remained around the team and upbeat over the next few months as he met with specialists, who ultimately cleared him to return to football late in the year.
“It was tough, man, at first, I had never really sat out that long or been able to not play football, so that was really my first major injury and sitting out eight or nine games was tough for me, just not being able to go to practice or go to meetings with my guys was the worst part.”
Olave was cleared to return to practice in December. He got back on the field to clear one hurdle, but still hasn't played in a game. He's been a full participant in every OTA session and this week's mandatory minicamp.
There's been no sign of anything lingering, said WR coach Keith Williams, one of the few returning coaches from last year's staff.
“I haven’t seen any signs of him thinking about that, or dwelling on it. We don’t talk about it," Williams said. "It’s just kind of, you know, just going north. I haven’t seen any signs of him thinking about that or, you know, wearing on him in any way.”
Olave, the No. 11 pick in the 2022 draft, has been highly productive despite injury issues to this point in his career, breaking the 1,000-yard mark in both of his first two seasons despite a revolving door at the quarterback position. He caught 32 passes for 400 yards and a touchdown over eight games last year.
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However he does move forward, he'll be doing so in a new offensive system and with a new quarterback after Derek Carr's retirement earlier this offseason. The Saints are having an open competition between Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough to determine the starting job. Third-year pro Jake Haener is also said to be in that mix, though he's been limited to this point due to an oblique injury suffered in the first OTA session.
While new head coach Kellen Moore has maintained that Olave will be a part of the team's plans, that hasn't stopped rumors from circulating about potential trade options. The Saints opted to exercise Olave's 5th year option and haven't fed into trade rumors in any way publicly. Olave made a clear statement of his own this week.
“Man, it’s all rumors, man. ... Everybody trying to have something for clicks. I love it here, man," Olave said. "I love the front office. I love my coaches. I’m excited to be here and I want to be here forever. This is where I want to be.”