Week 9’s clash between the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers took a disturbing turn as Saints receiver Chris Olave suffered a brutal hit that sent him to the hospital. Attempting to catch a pass from quarterback Derek Carr, Olave was blindsided by two Panthers defenders, leaving him momentarily motionless on the field. The atmosphere at Bank of America Stadium turned somber as teammates, fans, and coaches watched in shock, hoping for positive news on Olave’s condition.
Early in the game, Olave was caught in a brutal double tackle, sandwiched between Panthers’ Xavier Woods and Mike Jackson, as he reached for a high pass from Derek Carr. The hit was so intense that Olave lay motionless on the field, with officials throwing multiple flags for unnecessary roughness. Panthers safety Woods, known for his aggressive style, now leads the league with nine unnecessary roughness penalties since 2017.
Despite the impact, Olave showed remarkable resilience, lifting his hands to high-five teammates as he was carted off on a backboard. According to Saints officials, he had movement in all his extremities, a reassuring sign amidst the concern. He was taken to a Charlotte hospital for further evaluation, where he was reported to be alert.
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This is Olave’s fourth concussion in just three NFL seasons, raising questions about his future on the field. He recently switched helmets, hoping to reduce impact from hits, but even with the new gear, he’s found himself in concussion protocol once again. While there’s no exact timetable for his return, Olave’s history with concussions suggests that the Saints might keep him out longer to prioritize his health. This has caused both worry and rage among the NFL fans, let’s see what they had to say.
Fans react on scary concussion after brutal double tackle in Panthers clash
Saints fans, however, weren’t just worried about Olave; many were angry with Carr, blaming him for the injury. “Cut Carr and fire Allen. Literally ended a man’s career. Lucky they didn’t k*ll him,” one frustrated fan wrote on social media. Another harsh comment echoed similar sentiments, saying, “Nice throw, Carr.”
The fans couldn’t accept their WR to be out and injured. Hence, outrage kept coming, with blunt statements like, “Carr a** for throwing that.” Clearly, the play ignited resentment toward Carr, who some felt had put Olave in harm’s way.
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Derek Carr will pay for his sins https://t.co/2K1cHoieG2
— Jimmy (@FlynnJimmy__) November 3, 2024
But it wasn’t only the fans who had issues with Carr’s performance. Former Saints star Michael Thomas didn’t hold back his feelings either. He took to social media, bluntly calling for Carr’s exit from the team. “Get him the f out of here, he so a**,” Thomas wrote, criticizing Carr’s passing abilities and suggesting that his “panic” led to Olave’s unfortunate injury. Thomas’ words highlighted a growing frustration within the Saints organization and beyond.
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In addition to Thomas’s scathing remarks, others pointed out Carr’s apparent struggles to adapt. One fan commented, “Derek Carr hospital balls are back, folks,” implying that Carr’s errant throws have become a recurring problem. Thomas even suggested that recent coaching changes were merely attempts to cover up Carr’s deficiencies.
With Olave out and questions surrounding Carr’s leadership intensifying, the Saints now face mounting pressure both on and off the field. Fans and teammates will be holding their breath, hoping for a swift recovery for the young star.
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Are Derek Carr and Dennis Allen the real culprits behind Chris Olave's career-threatening injury?
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Are Derek Carr and Dennis Allen the real culprits behind Chris Olave's career-threatening injury?
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