NFL news: Saints’ Chris Olave reportedly hospitalized with blood clot in lung

New Orleans Saints star wide receiver Chris Olave will not play in Week 18 after a blood clot was reportedly discovered in his lung.

The blood clot was detected early and Olave was expected to be released from the hospital Thursday, according to Saints reporter Nick Underhill. Olave has no history of blood clots and is expected to be out for about a month, according to ESPN.

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 the sideline during the second half at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on October 5, 2025. (Stephen Lew/Imagn Images)

Olave’s 100 receptions and 1,163 yards are sixth and seventh in the NFL, respectively.

The Saints enter their Week 18 game against the Atlanta Falcons on a four-game winning streak, and Olave’s connection with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough 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 pass for a touchdown during the second half against the New York Jets on Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gérald Herbert)

Olave’s absence also has playoff implications for the NFC South. The Carolina Panthers, who face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, can win the NFC South if they win against the Buccaneers or if the Saints lose to the Atlanta Falcons.

If the Panthers win Saturday, the Saints-Falcons game will have no playoff implications.

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If the Buccaneers win on Saturday, then the Saints-Falcons game will decide who wins the NFC South. If the Saints lose, then the Buccaneers advance. But if the Saints beat the Falcons, the Panthers will win the division.

The Buccaneers and Panthers will play Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET, while the Saints face the Falcons at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.

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