The New Orleans Saints are entering a Week 18 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons that could have playoff implications. A Saints win would help the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while a loss would be potentially big for the Carolina Panthers.
However, for this Week 18 matchup, the Saints will not be at full strength. According to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football, Chris Olave won't play in Week 18.
The update for Olave is a scary one, in that a "blood clot was detected in his lung," according to Underhill. Olave "will be fine," but unfortunately, he's missing Week 18, and his 2025 season is now officially over.
Saints' Chris Olave gets unfortunate status update for Week 18
"Chris Olave will be out this week, per source," Underhill reports. "A blood clot was detected in his lung. Got caught early before anything bad could happen and will be fine. But not playing this week."
Underhill followed that report up with a positive one, that Olave is being discharged from the hospital today. He's doing well."
For such a scary situation, hearing this positive spin is some good news. While his 2025 season is over, as he's not suiting up for Week 18, the reporting suggests this is more of a short-term issue than a long-term one.
More: Tyler Shough has proven Saints didn't waste their 2025 2nd-round pick
This isn't just an unfortunate situation for Olave from a health standpoint; it's unfortunate for him as he's seeking a new contract extension and trying to build on his breakout 2025 season.
He's played through a back injury in recent weeks and hasn't let it impact him. He's had 148 and 119-yard performances amid dealing with that back injury late this season.
With his 2025 season now over, Olave finished with 100 catches for 1,163 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. It's a clean sweep for Olave in setting career-highs.
His connection with Tyler Shough is a great one, and as long as both are good to go at the start of 2026, their connection should flourish in a big way during year-two together.
More Saints News:
- Chris Olave's contract extension update is great news for Saints fans
- Tyler Shough takes goofy Saints rookie QB history from Archie Manning, Spencer Rattler
- Saints' Taysom Hill makes his kind of football history never done in the NFL
- Saints' Tyler Shough looking more like a franchise QB vs Jets
- Chase Young scores a rare touchdown on strip sack against Titans
- Saints' Taysom Hill makes Super Bowl era NFL history with trio of 1,000-yard feats