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New Orleans Saints star wide receiver Chris Olave will not play in Week 18 after a blood clot was reportedly found in his lung.
The blood clot was detected early and Olave was expected to be released from the hospital on Thursday, according to Saints reporter Nick Underhill. Olave has no history of blood clots and is expected to be sidelined for about a month, according to ESPN.
Olave, 25, has been fantastic this season for the Saints. The former Ohio State star had 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games.
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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) walks down the sideline during the second half at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 5, 2025. (Stephen Lew/Image Images)
Olave’s 100 receptions and 1,163 yards are the sixth and seventh most in the NFL, respectively.
The Saints enter their Week 18 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on a four-game winning streak, and Olave’s connection with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough is a big reason for that. During the winning streak, Olave had 27 receptions for 382 yards and four touchdowns.
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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave throws a pass for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Olave’s absence also has playoff implications for the NFC South. The Carolina Panthers, who play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, can win the NFC South with a win over the Buccaneers or if the Saints lose to the Atlanta Falcons.
If the Panthers win on Saturday, then the Saints-Falcons matchup has no playoff implications.
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If the Buccaneers win on Saturday, then the Saints-Falcons matchup will decide who wins the NFC South. If the Saints lose, then the Buccaneers advance, but if the Saints beat the Falcons, the Panthers will win the division.
The Buccaneers and Panthers play Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET, while the Saints play the Falcons at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
