The New Orleans Saints will be without wide receiver Chris Olave in Week 18 due to an unexpected issue with one of his lungs.
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According to ESPN, the fourth-year receiver developed a blood clot in his lung. This follows head coach Kellen Moore telling reporters that Olave had an illness come up as the team prepared to take on the rival Falcons.
"Chris had an illness come up. He did not practice (Thursday)," Moore said. "Obviously, he's navigating that with our medical staff. Our medical staff is awesome and for them to kind of get ahead of this, I thought it was a credit to those guys. He's in great care."
Chris Olave posts on IG pic.twitter.com/uxzlQ0LeMY
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) January 1, 2026
Olave also posted a photo on Instagram that showed him flexing while lying in a hospital bed. He did not provide any details about the reason for his hospital stay.
"Thank you God for everything," Olave wrote in his post. "Right where I need to be, life is full of unexpected twists & turns & I'm grateful to experience it. Chin up, chest out & keep it pushin. I don't want ya sympathy just talk to God for me. Bounce back otw!"
A former first-round pick out of Ohio State, Olave has been a key contributor to the Saints offense. However, he has dealt with a variety of medical problems that have kept him out of the lineup. The blood clot in his lung is the most recent issue.
He missed two games as a rookie and one in his second season. He then missed nine games last season due to two concussions.
Olave has dealt with a back injury throughout the 2025 season, but he has suited up for 16 games while posting a career-best 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns. However, this lung issue will prevent him from accomplishing his goal of starting all 17 games.
"The game of football is a game of football, but there's game of life is a lot more important," offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier told reporters. "So, number one, his health is what's most important.
"And then you think about that his health's going to be fine and he's in great care is the next thing is for him. What a season, what a great job he's done, accomplishments he's had. And we'd like to see him finish the season, but that wasn't in our cards. So, our thoughts and prayers were with him."
