Chris Olave’s status is the biggest Saints injury note heading into Sunday’s Week 2 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.
The New Orleans wideout was added late to the injury report after dealing with a hamstring issue in Thursday’s practice. Olave left practice as a precautionary measure and was then listed as a “limited participant.” He is officially questionable for Sunday.
That uncertainty comes after a huge opener. In New Orleans’ overtime loss to the Detroit Lions, Olave was the centerpiece of the passing game, hauling in 10 of 13 targets from Tyler Shough for a team-high 182 yards. He didn’t score, but he still helped fuel a Saints offense that put up 30 points.
Olave’s 2025 season was built on the same kind of volume. In 16 games, he caught 100 passes for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns, drawing 156 targets. With rookie first-round pick Jordyn Tyson already out to start the season, the Saints do not want to lose Olave for any length of time.
If Olave cannot go, Devaughn Vele and Juwan Johnson would both see more work in the passing game.
If he does play, the betting angle is clear: Olave to score. He was held out of the end zone in Week 1, but he kept New Orleans moving downfield and played 85.6 percent of the snaps. He remains the clear No. 1 target in the Saints’ passing attack.
The matchup also sets up for volume. Baltimore was No. 3 in the NFL in EPA/Pass last week, but the Saints could find themselves chasing points and leaning heavily on the pass, much like they did against Detroit.
Shough has already done plenty to raise Olave’s ceiling. From Week 9 on, once Shough took over as the starter last season, Olave played in eight games and caught 48 of 73 targets for 660 yards and six touchdowns. In nine games with Shough at quarterback, he has nearly 900 receiving yards and has scored in five of them.
With Olave set at +170, the price looks like solid value for Week 2.
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Jordans return gives New Orleans a much-needed edge on defense, especially with Derrick Henry looming as the centerpiece of Baltimores ground attack. For a team trying to steady itself quickly, getting two proven playmakers back in time for a matchup like this changes the tone of the week, even if the challenge ahead remains as difficult as advertised. [Read more 🡒]