Saints’ Chris Olave Suffers Serious Medical Issue, Ruled Out For Season Finale

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is set to miss the final game of the regular season.

The Saints will play the Atlanta Falcons at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday. They will aim to ensure that both teams finish the campaign with identical 7-10 records. However, they will have to do so without Olave.

According to a source cited by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the wideout developed a blood clot in one of his lungs and will be unavailable.

On a brighter note, he is expected to recover without issue and is expected to participate in the Saints’ offseason program in April. The 25-year-old made the team’s injury report after missing Wednesday’s practice with illness.

He posted a photo to Instagram this Thursday showing himself on a hospital bed.

“Thank you God for everything! Right where I need to be, life is full of unexpected twists & turns & I’m grateful to experience it,” he wrote in the caption.“Chin up, chest out & keep it pushin. I don’t want ya sympathy just talk to God for me. Bounce back otw!”

Chris Olave One Appearance Shy Of His Goal

Olave enjoyed the best campaign of his career in 2025. The WR, who recently revealed he looked to retire at age 22, registered 1,163 receiving yards and nine touchdowns this season.

A first-round pick in 2022, he is nearing a fifth-year option, which will be triggered if the Saints can’t reach an extension agreement before the start of next season.

The former Ohio State star played in last week’s win over the Tennessee Titans despite his back problems. Olave has dealt with a recurring back injury this season.

He was able to play in Week 17 due to rigorous treatment.

He was keen on playing all 17 games this season, which would have been a first for him.

“I think it’s going to be my first time in my NFL career playing 17,” he said last Sunday. “It means a lot, man. One of my goals, one of my main goals for this year is trying to play all 17.

“Playing through injuries, playing through all that. So I’m super grateful, like I said. Got to give all glory to God to be in this position. We just got to finish next week.”

It’s not going to be the case, unfortunately.