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New Orleans Saints Star wide receiver Chris Olave will not play in Week 18 after reportedly discovering a blood clot in his lung.
According to a Saints reporter, the blood clot was detected early and Olave was expected to be released from the hospital on Thursday. Nick Underhill. According to ESPN, Olave has no previous history of blood clots and is expected to be sidelined for about a month.
Olave, 25, a former Ohio State star, has caught 100 passes for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games.
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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave walks down the sideline during the second half at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on October 5, 2025. (Steven Liu/Imagn Images)
Olave's 100 receptions and 1,163 yards rank sixth and seventh in the standings. NFLrespectively.
The Saints enter their Week 18 matchup against Atlanta Falcons are on a four-game winning streak, and Olave's connection to rookie quarterback Tyler Shaw is a big reason why. During the winning streak, Olave had 27 catches for 382 yards and four touchdowns.
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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave throws a touchdown pass in the second half against the New York Jets on Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Olave's absence also has implications for the NFC South playoffs. Carolina Panthers, who play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday could win the NFC South by beating the Buccaneers or if the Saints lose to the Atlanta Falcons.
If the Panthers win on Saturday, the Saints-Falcons game will have no playoff implications.
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If pirates win on Saturday, then the Saints-Falcons matchup will decide who wins the NFC South. If the Saints lose, the Pirates will advance. But if the Saints beat the Falcons, the Panthers will win the division.
The Buccaneers and Panthers play Saturday at 4:30 pm ET, and the Saints play the Falcons at 1 pm ET on Sunday.
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