Chris Olave is expected to play for the Saints vs the Titans in Week 17 despite a back injury, adding a boost to New Orleans’ late surge.
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Recent contract negotiations between the New Orleans Saints and superstar wide receiver Chris Olave have concluded with a four-year, $132 million extension that includes $90 million guaranteed. However, this lucrative deal contains specific protective language tailored to his health history. As documented by ESPN's Katherine Terrell, particular contractual stipulations allow the Saints to void injury guarantees if Olave suffers from recurrent concussions or pulmonary embolisms that permanently sideline him from NFL play.
While these stipulations help protect the franchise financially, the Saints faced a scare during Tuesday's training camp practice when Olave went down awkwardly. The star wide receiver exited the session early after hitting the ground hard, creating a moment of tension across the practice field. Fortunately, head coach Kellen Moore provided an encouraging update shortly after, which offered a sigh of relief to the entire organization.
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Reporting on X, ESPN's Katherine Terrell captured Moore's reassuring evaluation after practice: “Kellen Moore said Chris Olave landed hard on his back. When asked if he’s okay, he said he got the wind knocked out of him. When asked if further testing was needed or if there was cause for concern, Moore said the medical staff did not raise any issues.”
With no structural issues identified by the medical staff, the incident was quickly deemed a minor setback rather than a serious injury. Avoiding a significant injury is crucial for New Orleans' offense, especially with rookie receiver Jordyn Tyson already expected to miss early-season action. This clean bill of health allows Olave to maintain his momentum without interruption. Having secured his long-term financial stability, the Second-Team All-Pro recently expressed that he feels reinvigorated to receive medical clearance and is eager to focus on leading New Orleans' passing game in 2026.