The New Orleans Saints (5-7) prepared for Sunday’s Caesars Superdome game against Carolina (1-11), with quarterback Derek Carr practicing full Friday but still in concussion protocol.
In New Orleans’ 33-28 loss to Detroit on Sunday, Carr suffered his second concussion in three games and injured his right shoulder and rib. Carr is uncertain on Sunday after missing his third game this season due to injury.
“He’s got to go through the full process,” Saints coach Dennis Allen said. “I think he’s made progress, but he’s got to go through the full process.”
Carr and Jameis Winston, who have played in all three games Carr missed due to injury, shared snaps with the starters this week.
“When you go through the concussion protocol, there are some steps that have to happen,” said Allen. “We had Chris Olave last year with the concussion, and we realized quite early in the week that he would be challenging to clear due to the severity of the concussion.
We didn’t get that from Derek’s doctors. We had to manage the week without 100% knowledge. Carr and Winston have had opportunities and reps, so they’ll be ready to play if their number is called. We handled it that way.”
Chris Olave, the team leader in receptions (68) and yards (890), missed Thursday and Friday practices with the virus. Olave is doubtful too.
“He’s been at home because we don’t want that going through the rest of the roster,” he said. “He’s on medication and will see the physicians this afternoon.
In a circumstance like that, you want to isolate those guys from the rest of the team to prevent that from spreading. However, he was participating in the scheme. He’ll play Sunday if he’s healthy and feels good.”
The Saints have relied on A.T. Perry, Keith Kirkwood, and Lynn Bowden Jr. this week in practice with Michael Thomas (injured reserve with a knee injury) and Rashid Shaheed (hasn’t practiced this week and questionable Sunday with a thigh injury) out.
“Some other guys have to step up and practice and execute, and then they’ll have to be ready to go if Chris isn’t able to go,” said Allen.
“I hope Olave can go. If not, other guys must step forward. I thought our guys handled it nicely this week.”
Olave has overcome adversity. He grabbed 18 passes for 327 yards in the final three games after catching 28 for 261 in Games 4–9.
“I think he has played really well,” Allen remarked. “He had a tough stretch earlier in the season and was much discussed. Though challenged, he persevered. He kept coming here every day to work, following the process.
As the season progresses, I think he’s had more chances and taken advantage of them. He’s proud of his accomplishments and perseverance, as it’s hard. He did well with that.”
