Saints’ Chris Olave expects to be in medical tent ‘more than usual’ due to concussion history
The New Orleans Saints started their 2025 season off with a loss, but it may have been a more encouraging performance than some people expected. The Saints got off to a slow start against the Arizona Cardinals, but they did stage a late comeback before falling short 20-13.
Despite the loss, Spencer Rattler looked like a competent NFL quarterback at the very least, which can give fans optimism that New Orleans can at least be better than a dumpster fire this season. His top weapon, wide receiver Chris Olave, is also healthy to start this season, which is something that hasn’t always been the case during his career.
Olave did have an injury scare in Week 1 after taking a hard hit after the catch, where he was sent off to the medical tent. On Wednesday, Olave said that wasn’t surprising and he expects that to happen more often to him than others because of his history with concussions.
Chris Olave on getting sent to the blue tent:
— NOF (@nofnetwork) September 10, 2025
“Every time they see me take a big hit, I feel like they take me to the tent automatically.” pic.twitter.com/7PxwV4TBFu
“Every time they see me take a big hit, I feel like they take me to the tent automatically,” Olave said. “I feel like it’s going to be more than usual this year, but I try to tell them I’m good but they just try to check on me and make sure I’m straight.”
Olave had a number of scary concussions where he was clearly out of it during his NFL career, which has only been going for three seasons and change now. He played in just eight games in 2024 after a very productive first two seasons, so his health will be something to watch for in New Orleans all season long.
When Olave is healthy, he is one of the top young wide receivers in the NFL. In his first two seasons, he caught 159 balls and scored nine touchdowns while eclipsing 1,000 in each of those seasons. If he is healthy for the 2025 campaign, he is more than capable of getting back to that level and being a driving force for this Saints offense throughout the campaign.
Jim Harbaugh talks rivalry with Pete Carroll ahead of 'MNF' matchup
Fans of the Pete Carroll-Jim Harbaugh rivalry will be happy to know it hasn't subsided, despite a hiatus that has lasted for more than 10 years.
Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers (1-0) will face Carroll and the Las Vegas Raiders (1-0) on "Monday Night Football" at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN. It's the first time the coaches have squared off since the 2014 season, when Harbaugh was with the San Francisco 49ers and Carroll was with the Seattle Seahawks.
Jim Harbaugh speaks on his relationship with Pete Carroll ahead of Week 2
"I always thought if I had ever played for him or one of his teams — because he was coaching when I was playing — or was on his staff when I got into coaching, I bet we would've been really good friends," the former NFL quarterback told the media Wednesday. "Alas, we have been on opposite sides, so I'm not on his Christmas card list."
It's not surprising they don't wish each other a merry Christmas. It's fair to wonder if they'll even talk before Monday's game.
The rivalry started at the college level when Carroll was coaching at USC and Harbaugh was at Stanford. The Cardinal went 2-1 against the Trojans under Harbaugh.
This included a 55-21 rout during the 2009 season, where Harbaugh tried to run up the score by attempting a two-point conversion at the end of the game. Afterward, the coaches met at midfield, and Carroll asked, "What is your deal?"
Carroll would get revenge in the NFC Championship Game during the 2013 season. The Seahawks beat the 49ers 23-17 after cornerback Richard Sherman deflected a pass intended for wide receiver Michael Crabtree, which was intercepted.
Per Stats Perform, Carroll has a 5-4 record (including playoffs) against Harbaugh in the NFL. His teams have won the last three matchups.
Don't be surprised if a super-passionate Harbaugh shows even more fire in the Chargers' road game on Monday. He'll want to even the score with Carroll.
