Chris

Olave

With the Saints riding the running game and short fields following failed Bucs fourth-down attempts, Olave posted his second fewest receiving yards of the season as Tyler Shough attempted only 20 passes in the rain. Olave was the intended target on Shough’s interception, a miscommunication where Olave cut off his route. If Olave’s back injury was an issue, we didn’t notice. Today was disappointing, but the Saints are typically a high-attempts passing attack. He will remain a strong WR2 for Week 15 against the Panthers.

We suppose Olave could be a snap count or re-injury risk, but you have no choice but to roll him out there as your WR2. His floor is too high, and ceiling still at least theoretical. Inactive for the Saints are RB Alvin Kamara, RT Taliese Fuaga, S Justin Reid, DT John Ridgeway, DT Khristian Boyd, CB Rejzohn Wright and TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden.

Olave dealt with back spasms in practice two weeks ago. He played through them versus the Dolphins and caught four passes for 47 yards and a score. It wasn’t his best showing of the year, but he looked fine. He missed Wednesday’s practice this week but was on the field for the following two sessions before being listed a questionable. Per usual, Olave is on track for volume-based WR2 numbers versus the Bucs.

We would consider Olave to be on the optimistic side of questionable since he practiced on Thursday and played through this designation last week, but back injuries can be tricky. Kellen Moore didn’t add much context to Olave’s chances in meeting with the press. Olave will be a WR2 if he is able to suit up against Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Olave has been an injury report mainstay this season, but to his credit he’s played in all 12 Saints games and hasn’t seen a noticeable drop in production. He looks likely to be cleared off the injury report on Friday. Or, failing that, at least make his way to an optimistic questionable listing. He played off just one practice last week.

New Orleans Football’s Nick Underhill reports that Olave’s back injury “flared up” after the Saints’ Week 13 loss to the Dolphins. Olave continues to play through injuries this season, and we expect him to do so again in Week 14 against the Buccaneers. An aching back makes sense. Olave is handling the NFL’s third-largest receiving workload (110 targets) this season.

Olave entered Sunday listed as questionable because of back spasms. He moved well and earned plenty of targets, but the fact that Devaughn Vele led the team in all receiving categories could point to the back injury being a minor issue for Olave in this contest. Olave could have made up some ground on Vele late in the game had he brought down a game-winning score. Tyler Shough put the ball on the money on a deep shot to Olave during the Saints’ final drive. Navigating two defenders near the end zone, Olave let the ball slip between his hands, blowing a chance at the win. It was a frustrating end to a floor performance from the young wideout. He will remain in the WR2 ranks when the Saints take on the Bucs.

Olave dealt with back spasms during practice this week. He presumably felt fine after Friday’s practice, as it was reported over the weekend that he was expected to play. There is some re-injury risk with Olave, but fantasy managers can’t fade his elite target-earning potential. Inactive for the Saints are RB Alvin Kamara, DT John Ridgeway, DT Khristian Boyd, CB Rejzohn Wright, DB Ugo Amadi, TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, and OL Barry Wesley.

Olave left Wednesday’s practice early because of back spasms. He missed the following practice but returned on Friday for a limited session before being listed as questionable. Hopefully this issue doesn’t crop up during today’s game. Olave is known for dealing with mid-game injuries. He is also more than used to playing through them. There is a little more risk with Olave this week, but he is still dominating targets on a surprisingly functional Saints offense. Olave remains in the WR2 ranks for Week 13.

New Orleans Football’s Nick Underhill reported yesterday that Olave is dealing with back spasms and is considered day-to-day with the issue. His return to practice today is a good sign, though unfortunately, we will have to track his status this weekend. If active, he remains a WR2 against the Dolphins.