After winning their first two games of the season and looking like one of the surprise contenders in the NFC, the Saints have lost four straight games and fallen to 2-4. What's to blame? Coaching? Poor execution? The answer is actually injuries.
Injuries on the offensive side of the ball began with the offensive line. Then in Week 5, starting quarterback Derek Carr was lit up on a hit from Chiefs' defensive back Chamarri Conner. Carr suffered an oblique injury on the play and is set to be sidelined for multiple weeks.
The injury bug has now hit the receiver room in New Orleans. Rashid Shaheed is in line to undergo meniscus surgery, and Chris Olave suffered a concussion in Week 6. Let's check in on the latest surrounding Olave's status and availability for Thursday Night Football against the Broncos.
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Will Chris Olave play this week? Injury update on Saints' WR
It's nearly impossible for players to clear concussion protocol on a short weak ahead of a Thursday night game. Unsurprisingly, Olave has not practiced this week and has been ruled out for Week 7.
With extra time ahead of the Saint's Week 8 matchup, there's optimism that Olave will be able to clear concussion protocol and play. Practice reports from next week should give fans a better idea regarding his Week 8 availability.
Saints' WR Depth Chart: Who is Chris Olave's Backup?
Rashid Shaheed would typically step up and serve as New Orleans' WR1 in Olave's absence. Unfortunately, he will also miss Thursday Night Football, meaning the Saints will have to look further down the depth chart to find wide receiver production.
Bub Means, Mason Tipton, and Cedrick Wilson will serve as the Saints' top receivers this week. Based on their snap counts last week, Means will likely function as the WR1 while Tipton and Wilson will rotate in and out as the WR2. New Orleans uses 11 personnel (three-WR sets) at the lowest rate in the league, so don't expect to see this trio on the field together very often.
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Chris Olave fantasy outlook Week 7
With Olave already ruled out, fantasy managers will have some time to find a replacement in their lineup. Means can be used in desperation, but ideally a suitable replacement can be found on the waiver wire or your bench.
If your team doesn't have a clear replacement for Olave, be sure to check out the Sporting News' WR Rankings for Week 7. These rankings, along with our sleeper candidates , should put you in a position to fill Olave's place in your lineup and set you up for success this week.
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