Saints’ WR Chris Olave, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a concussion, is not expected to play vs. the Bengals, per source. This would leave the Saints without WRs Olave, Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 16, 2022
There’s another hit to the New Orleans Saints wide receivers corps — maybe. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that rookie standout Chris Olave is not expected to suit up against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday due to injury. Olave practiced on a limited basis this week before being upgraded on the final injury report Friday, having suffered a concussion in last week’s win over the Seattle Seahawks, but Schefter’s report suggests the Saints will take a cautious approach with an important young player.
If so, it’s probably for the best. The Saints will kick off with the Bengals in New Orleans on Sunday before flying out for a Thursday night game versus the Arizona Cardinals, so it’s a quick turnaround that would be tough for injured players to manage. Still, Schefter’s credibility took a hit this week when he reported that star wide receiver Michael Thomas was expected to return for the Bengals game, only for Thomas to continue to be listed as a non-participant in practice. He’s since been ruled out altogether against Cincinnati, whereas Olave was labeled with a questionable designation.
We’ll know who is up for sure once the Saints inactive list is released before kickoff, so keep an eye out. With Thomas and veteran slot receiver Jarvis Landry out for this game due to injuries (as was Deonte Harty, who went to injured reserve) and Olave questionable, the team called up three practice squad wide receivers to fill out the depth chart behind Marquez Callaway and Tre’Quan Smith: Rashid Shaheed, Keith Kirkwood, and Kevin White.