Saints star wide receiver hospitalized after blood clot was found in his lung: report

The New Orleans Saints prima wide receiver Chris Olave volition not play successful Week 18 aft a humor clot was reportedly recovered successful his lung. 

The humor clot was caught aboriginal and Olave was expected to beryllium discharged from the infirmary Thursday, according to Saints newsman Nick Underhill. Olave has nary anterior past of humor clots and is expected to beryllium sidelined for astir a month, according to ESPN. 

Olave, 25, has been fantastic this play for the Saints. The erstwhile Ohio State prima had 100 catches for 1,163 yards and 9 touchdowns successful 16 games. 

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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) walks connected the sideline during the 2nd fractional astatine Caesars Superdome successful New Orleans, Louisiana, connected Oct. 5, 2025. (Stephen Lew/Imagn Images)

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

The Saints travel into their Week 18 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons connected a four-game triumph streak, with Olave’s transportation with rookie backmost Tyler Shough being a large crushed for it. During the triumph streak, Olave had 27 catches for 382 yards and 4 touchdowns. 

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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave pulls successful a walk for a touchdown during the 2nd fractional of an NFL shot crippled against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, successful New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Olave’s lack besides has playoff implications for the NFC South. The Carolina Panthers, who play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected Saturday, tin triumph the NFC South with a triumph implicit the Buccaneers oregon if the Saints suffer to the Atlanta Falcons.

If the Panthers triumph connected Saturday, past the Saints-Falcons matchup has nary playoff implications. 

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If the Buccaneers triumph connected Saturday, past the Saints-Falcons matchup volition determine who wins the NFC South. If the Saints lose, past the Buccaneers advance, but if the Saints bushed the Falcons, the Panthers volition triumph the division.

The Buccaneers and Panthers play connected Saturday astatine 4:30 p.m. ET, portion the Saints play the Falcons astatine 1 p.m. ET connected Sunday. 

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