Former Ohio State football player Chris Olave was great as a member of the Ohio State Buckeyes. His four years were filled with big catches, blocked punts, and big moments. He always delivered for the Buckeyes. He even came back for his senior season when many people excpected him to go pro.
Olave was taken in the first-round of the NFL Draft in 2022. He was the 11th overall pick by the New Orleans Saints. He made an immediate impact, catching 72 passes for 1,042 yards and four touchdowns. Olave finished second in Rookie of the Year voting to his former Buckeye teammate Garrett Wilson.
Since then, Olave has had some injury concerns. Those injuries are mainly concussions. Despite being the Saints' best receiver, the number of concussions he's had is now at a concerning level. Olave was just put on injured reserve after suffering another one last week against the Panthers.
Former Ohio State football player Chris Olave is placed on IR
Olave will now miss at least four games. Unfortunately, he has already hit a crossroads in his football career. Olave is now meeting with a specialist to determine his future in the game because of the number of concussions that he has now sustained as a pro.
This most recent concussion is the fourth one he's suffered since 2022. It was also the second one he'd suffered in the last three weeks. Those are both scary numbers. Players are more educated about the dangers of concussions and the damage it does to the brain.
I really hope the specialist is able to find a way to keep Olave playing in the future and keep him safe. He's too young to end what is already a promising career. He has the chance to be one of the best receivers in the league if he can stay healthy too.