By the time the NFL season reaches December, just about everyone is carrying some sort of bump or bruise. That’s the unfortunate reality of playing a contact sport, but it doesn’t make things any less annoying for everyone involved. Even if you set aside the physical discomfort, players want to suit up and do their job. Coaches want to field the best lineup possible. Fans want their team to have the best chance of winning the game; fantasy football also plays hoping that everyone stays healthy.
But, during Week 15, New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave wasn’t able to make the cut. The Saints still managed to get past Tommy DeVito and his New York Giants, but an ankle injury kept the star receiver sidelined.
Now, thanks to the NFL schedule makers, the Saints are back at it in a short week, facing the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football. Thankfully for everyone in the Big Easy, Olave has made it back to full health.
Let’s break things down.
Chris Olave at Caesars Superdome on December 10, 2023, in New Orleans. The receiver has returned from injury in time for Week 16’s Thursday Night Football engagement. Perry Knotts/Getty Images
Olave Has Recovered From Injury Ahead of TNF
On the whole, the NFL runs on a set schedule. Games take place on Sunday, and, after an off day, the players have a week of practice and recovery time. Thursday Night Football, however, changes up the cadence.
Sometimes, that short week can wreak havoc on a team’s injury report. If a player is pushing to return to action, having to play a few days early can simply be a bridge too far. In Week 16, though, the Saints dodged a bullet.
As mentioned above, receiver Chris Olave wasn’t able to go in Week 15 because of an ankle injury. Things didn’t look promising after that, as he did not practice in the Saints’ Monday practice, but his status did improve. He appeared on Tuesday’s injury report as a limited participant in practice before being listed as a full participant on Wednesday.
He’s no longer carrying a designation and, according to head coach Dennis Allen, will be good to go on Thursday night.
Saints’ HC Dennis Allen said WR Chris Olave will play Thursday night vs. the Rams. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 20, 2023
Olave Provides a Boost for Saints, Fantasy Owners
Given the number of players on an NFL roster and the cliches we’ve all heard about the lack of an “I” in “team,” it’s easy to write off the importance of a single player. In this case, though, Olave could be returning at an incredibly important time.
Before going any further, we need to establish the receiver’s importance within the Saints’ offense. Olave leads the club in targets (116, with the next closest player having 78), receptions (leading 72 to 68) and receiving yards (918 yards vs. 570). It’s also worth noting that New Orleans’ second-leading player in targets and receptions is running back Alvin Kamara; his pass-catching ability is valuable, but he can’t fill the role of a wide receiver within the offense. And, beyond that, receiver Michael Thomas is currently on injured reserve, making Olave’s presence that much more valuable.
So, having a player with that level of production available is obviously a boon. But the realities of the NFL calendar makes his presence that much more important.
On the fantasy side of things, most standard leagues have reached the playoffs. And if you’ve spent the entire season relying on New Orleans’ top receiver, you were probably feeling a bit hard done when he missed Week 15 (traditionally the first week of the fantasy postseason). Now, he’s back and facing a pass defense that sits in the bottom half of the league table.
Moving on to real football, Olave will also be a key part of the Saints’ push for a postseason berth. The NFC South club is currently sitting on the outside looking in, but their 7-7 record is on par with three clubs who are currently on the right side of the line. A TNF win would provide a major boost down the home stretch.
NFL.com says that a win over the Rams would give New Orleans a 69% chance of reaching the postseason; a loss would drop their chances to 23%. The New York Times’ Upshot model provides slightly different figures (about 70% with a win vs. 20% with a loss), but the sentiment is the same. Thursday Night Football, like it or not, is probably going to play a role in shaping the club’s season.
And if you’re affiliated with the Saints, you want Chris Olave present in those situations. Now, everyone in the bayou will just have to wait and see how much of a difference the receiver can make.
Chris Olave Injury: The Receiver Returns at the Right Time for the Saints
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