Chris Olave to play for Saints vs. Giants despite illness
The Saints receiver missed two days of practice this week but returned for limited work on Friday.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave will play Sunday against the New York Giants, clearing an illness that sidelined him from practice earlier in the week. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that Olave is expected to suit up.
Olave missed Wednesday and Thursday sessions before returning for limited work Friday. The team listed him as questionable Saturday. Running back Alvin Kamara, nursing a back injury, also carries a questionable designation but is expected to play, according to Rapoport, citing sources.
The timing of the illness forced New Orleans to adjust its preparation. Head coaches typically hold key offensive players out early in the week to prevent locker room spread, particularly with viral bugs circulating during October. Olave’s return to the field Friday signaled he had recovered enough to participate in walkthroughs and route installation ahead of the Week 6 contest.
His availability anchors a passing game that stalled last weekend. Olave caught four passes for 46 yards in his most recent outing, snapping a streak of three consecutive games with more than 100 receiving yards. He had posted at least 86 yards in every game prior to that drop-off.
Fantasy Pros currently ranks Olave as the WR5 overall this season. That standing holds weight against a Giants secondary allowing the 14th-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, according to CBS Sports data.
Kamara’s back issue introduces a separate variable for the Saints offense. If his snap count faces restrictions, target volume shifts heavily toward the perimeter. Olave has commanded double-digit targets in four of five games this year.
