New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chis Olave took a violent hit against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday and was carted off the field after being stabilized on a backboard.
he was then ruled out due to concussion and transported to a hospital in Charlotte for further evaluation. Olave was in the Saints lineup after missing last week with a concussion suffered in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The blow occurred midway through the first quarter. Saints quarterback Derek Carr targeted Olave on a pass down the middle of the field. Panthers defenders Xavier Woods and Mike Jackson were in coverage and blocked Olave with simultaneous punches as the downed ball left Olave’s reach.
Woods hit Olave high from Olave’s blind side. Olave fell to the grass and immediately became inert. Several flags were thrown.
Olave remained on the field for several moments while medical personnel treated him. Players from both teams surrounded Olave as silence fell at Bank of America Stadium.
Andy Dalton, Lonnie Johnson and Shy Tuttle stood side by side near Olave. Mike Jackson, who was part of the collision, is kneeling in prayer.
Olave receives a cheer as he is loaded onto a cart. He’s interacting with his teammates. It’s on a board. pic.twitter.com/JhMMs8lCQT
—Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) November 3, 2024
Finally, they placed Olave in a cart and took him off the field. He showed movement in his arms and feet as he was carried off the field and transported to a hospital shortly thereafter.
Woods was penalized for unnecessary roughness in the shot.
Olave said on Thursday that he was considering wearing a keeper cap over his helmet during Sunday’s game to help protect his head upon his return from his earlier concussion. He opted not to wear one for the game.
This story will be updated when more information becomes available.