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Chris Olave Out for Saints vs. Buccaneers with Concussion Suffered on Fumble

Adam WellsOctober 13, 2024

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 15: Chris Olave #12 of the New Orleans Saints looks on during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Sam Hodde/Getty Images

A rough start for the New Orleans Saints in Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was made was worse when Chris Olave suffered a concussion in the first quarter.

The Saints quickly ruled out Olave for the remainder of the game.

Olave was injured on a hit by Bucs safety Tykee Smith and cornerback Zyon McCollum that resulted in him fumbling the ball. Antoine Winfield Jr. picked it up and scored on a 58-yard return to give Tampa Bay a 14-0 lead.

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Catch. Fumble. And a touchdown for Antoine Winfield Jr.!<br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TBvsNO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TBvsNO</a> on FOX<br>📱: <a href="https://t.co/waVpO909ge">https://t.co/waVpO909ge</a> <a href="https://t.co/mWrp01OUnD">pic.twitter.com/mWrp01OUnD</a>

The Saints already entered the game beat up and missing key players. Derek Carr is out after he suffered an oblique injury late in the fourth quarter of Monday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported (h/t Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team) prior to kickoff that Carr is expected to miss three to four weeks.

Taysom Hill is missing his third straight game due to a rib injury. Starting center Cesar Ruiz is out with a knee injury. Alvin Kamara was in the starting lineup after being limited in practice due to injuries to his hip and hand.

Carr's absence opened the door for Spencer Rattler to make his first career start. Olave figured to be a big part of the game plan on Sunday with a rookie quarterback in.

"Dude's different. I make it a key point: When he's in, get him the ball. It's that simple," Rattler told reporters during the preseason about Olave.

Rattler didn't really have a chance to prove that point because Olave was injured on the Saints' third offensive play of the game.

Olave's absence could open up more opportunities for Mason Tipton, Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Bub Means. Rashid Shaheed, who entered the day with a team-high 338 receiving yards and three touchdown catches, will be the go-to wide receiver.