Saints WR Olave Out for Finale with Lung Clot

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave, who has enjoyed a breakout season, will miss the team's season finale against the Atlanta Falcons after doctors discovered a blood clot in his lung. The diagnosis came during a routine medical screening and was caught early enough to prevent complications, according to team reports. Olave, 25, is expected to be discharged from the hospital on Thursday and recover fully in time for offseason activities, with no prior history of such issues.

The news surfaced ahead of Sunday's game at the Caesars Superdome, marking the end of Olave's most productive year in the NFL. Entering Week 18, the Saints hold a 6-10 record after winning four straight games to close out the season strongly. Olave has been a cornerstone of that surge, posting career highs across the board: 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns. Those figures place him among the league's top performers, ranking sixth in catches, seventh in yards and seventh in scores. This marks his third 1,000-yard season in four years as a pro, underscoring his reliability as a first-round pick out of Ohio State.

Olave's absence is a blow to an offense that has found rhythm late in...