The Saints fell short in a 31-30 comeback loss vs. the Lions in Week 1, but the offense showed improvement led by WR Chris Olave erupting for 10 receptions and 182 receiving yards.
New Orleans has another tough test vs. the Ravens on Sunday, September 20, and Olave is suddenly in danger of missing this week, appearing on the injury report following Thursday’s practice.
Let’s look at the latest Chris Olave injury update, including if he will play this week vs. the Ravens. If Olave is out, who could step up for Saints vs. Ravens picks for PrizePicks?
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Chris Olave Injury Update: Is Saints WR Playing This Week?
Chris Olave was a full participant at Wednesday’s practice, but he popped up on the injury report with a hamstring injury on Thursday.
Following yesterday’s limited showing, Olave was a limited participant for the second consecutive practice on Friday. That prompted the Saints to officially list their WR1 as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Ravens.
Following Thursday’s surprise news, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reported Olave left practice as a “precautionary measure.”
Despite Olave’s hamstring injury not being labeled serious, he’s now in danger of missing this week’s battle vs. the Ravens.
The Saints are already battling multiple injuries, including rookie WR Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) missing at least three more games on injured reserve. After Pro Football Focus credited EDGE Chase Young with 2 pressures and 1 QB hit in Week 2, he’s dealt with a calf injury and is also questionable this week.
New Orleans RB Alvin Kamara (knee) brought much-needed good news, as he’s expected to play in Week 2, debuting the Saints one-two punch alongside RB Travis Etienne Jr.
If Olave joins Tyson as an inactive on Sunday, who could step up on Sunday?
Saints Fantasy Football Outlook If Olave Is Out in Week 2
Following a 21-0 deficit in the third quarter vs. the Lions, the Saints logged 56 passing attempts compared to 25 rushing attempts in Week 1. New Orleans could have another negative game script ahead as 8.5-point underdogs on the spread vs. the Ravens, per PrizePicks.
In the 2025 season, the Saints had a 59.5% pass-play rate (fifth-highest). With head coach Kellen Moore still calling the plays, a heavy dose of passing attempts could be ahead, regardless of Chris Olave’s status.
Olave tallied a team-high 13 targets, 10 catches, and 182 receiving yards in Week 1. His 59 pass snaps narrowly trailed WR Devaughn Vele’s 63 pass snaps. Plus, rookie WR Bryce Lance had 49 pass snaps and a 91.8% route rate in New Orleans’ frequent 11 personnel.
If Olave is out, attention turns to Vele and Lance — especially following Vele’s 7 catches for 69 receiving yards and 1 TD last week. Lance’s 9.5 average depth of target (aDOT) was a step ahead of Vele’s 7.8, perhaps giving the rookie opportunity to take some downfield targets if he’s replacing Olave’s absurd 18.4 aDOT from Week 1.
Rookie WR Barion Brown would likely see the field if Olave is out. Brown was a big-play threat in college with 11.8 yards per catch across four seasons, backed by a 4.40-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Combine.
According to PrizePicks, Chris Olave (71.5), Devaughn Vele (41.5), and TE Juwan Johnson (38.5) lead the Saints for the most projected receiving yards vs. the Ravens. Johnson had a 85.0% route rate with 6 targets, 3 catches, 54 receiving yards, and 1 TD a week ago.
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After making a surprise appearance on the injury report this week, Chris Olave is officially questionable vs. the Ravens. If Olave is out, Devaughn Vele and Juwan Johnson could pick up the slack on a pass-heavy offense.
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