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The New Orleans Saints face a significant question on offense after a late week injury to star WR Chris Olave. Blaine Grisak breaks down what it means for fantasy football.
The New Orleans Saints could be without star wide receiver Chris Olave in Sunday’s important divisional matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4. Olave was a late addition to the injury report after hurting his hamstring during Friday’s practice. Despite coming into the week with no injury concern, Olave will now be a player to monitor heading into Sunday morning.
Chris Olave Injury Status
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Saints are listing Olave as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Falcons. Olave was officially listed as a limited participant in Friday’s practice following his hamstring injury. Schefter noted that Olave is considered “day to day” by the team.
The Olave situation is eerily similar to Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown injuring his hamstring in a practice before Week 2. Before playing the Falcons, Brown injured his hamstring during a practice and has missed two games since. We’ll have to see how serious the injury is, but the Saints will hope that Olave does not have to miss any time.
What Chris Olave’s injury means for fantasy football
Over the past two weeks, Olave was beginning to find his stride in the new Saints offense called by offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Olave and Derek Carr were also just beginning to get on the same page. The Saints wide receiver has been the WR15 in fantasy football over the past two weeks, which included a 20.6-point performance last week.
The Saints will obviously be hoping that their star playmaker will be able to go on Sunday. Olave would provide a huge boost against a Falcons defense that gave up 12 receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown to Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice last week.
Even at less than 100 percent Olave could be a riskier start in fantasy football as it’s hard to know how his hamstring will respond. With that said, he is a player that should remain in lineups given the upside that he provides.
In the case that Olave can’t go, that makes Rashid Shaheed the top wide receiver in the Saints offense. Shaheed has 169 yards on the season which all came in the first two weeks. In Weeks 1 and 2, Shaheed was the WR9 in fantasy football and has shown the ability to produce at a WR1 level.
With AT Perry out and Cedric Wilson questionable, Mason Tipton could be a player to target in very deep leagues. Tipton impressed during training camp and his snap count went up from 25 percent in Week 2 to 32 percent in Week 3. He also had three targets against the Eagles.
However, it’s important to stick with the known quantities here. Olave’s injury will very likley mean more targets for running back Alvin Kamara. Kamara has 10 receptions on the season for 132 yards and a touchdown. The Saints running back remains one of the best receiving threats out of the backfield in the NFL. If Olave is out, Kamara will certainly play a large role in the offensive gameplan.
