Anxiety isn’t a topic that hits many airwaves when it comes to the NFL. For New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave, it was a piece of the gridiron puzzle that was on his mind heavily during the team’s Week 10 matchup at the Carolina Panthers. Last season, Olave suffered a season-ending concussion in Carolina during their Week 9 game. It was an incredibly scary moment for him as a player and a person.
It was the young wideout’s second concussion of the season. That is a terrifying truth that pushed questions from plenty of fans and media alike about his long-term future in football. Keep in mind that Olave had a documented concussion in 2022 and 2023 with the Saints as well. After New Orleans’ most recent win, which included a phenomenal performance, he was given the platform to discuss that anxiety regarding the past.
After the emotional victory, Olave opened up about how difficult it was to be in the same place where his season ended during last campaign. It was something he had to consider before ever playing a snap, but he overcame all of those tough memories to help the Saints get their second win of the season.
“As soon as I stepped on the field, I just felt it all over again,” Olave said. “It was a tough situation from last year. It ended my season.”
“My Pop was here too, so I went over to talk to him, pregame, tried to loosen my mind up.” — Olave via Katherine Terrell
Olave said he felt a lot of anxiety being back in Bank of America Stadium after suffering a season-ending concussion last season. pic.twitter.com/n4uK5ddP3z
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) November 9, 2025
You can tell that the playmaking pass catcher values the opportunity to dawn the black and gold an incredible amount. If he didn’t, there would be no sense in risking another concussion or major injury down the road. Olave can definitely rejoice in the fact that he overcame plenty of negative thoughts and emotions to come through with one of the best games of his pro career in Carolina.
With his five receptions for 104 receiving yards vs. Carolina, Olave now has 251 career receptions. He became the 15th Saint all-time with 250+ catches in franchise history. He also caught an important touchdown against the Panthers as well.
Past all of the stats and production, or even the win for his team, it is fantastic to see him back on the field and healthy. Scary moment like concussions can alter a career and a life. Saints fans should truly appreciate how committed he is to the city and the franchise.
Olave has one year left remaining on his current contract after the Saints picked up his fifth-year option. The two sides have discussed a contract extension, so we will see how that unfolds in the near future.
Rookie quarterback Will Howard received a shot in the arm on Thursday after the Pittsburgh Steelers included him in the active roster for the rest of the season.
While Howard has yet to play a single snap, coming off the injured reserve must still feel good, as he now has the chance—no matter how slim it is—to make his debut.
Drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round out of Ohio State, the 24-year-old signal-caller said he continues to be a sponge in his first season. He also tipped his hat to star teammate Aaron Rodgers for guiding him even though he’s not playing.
“I’m able to just sit back and kind of—I literally have a Word document of the nuggets I get from Aaron every day,” said Howard in a video posted by 93.7 The Fan on X.
“If there’s something that he tells me or something he says in meetings, I’ll try to write it down. Just have a little bank of the things that I’m learning.”
With that conscientious attitude, Howard will only endear himself more to the 41-year-old Rodgers, who has always espoused the importance of paying attention to details.
With the way Rodgers has been playing, it’s safe to say that the Steelers’ quarterback rotation won’t change anytime soon. Howard will have to wait for his turn. Not to mention that he’s still third in the depth chart behind Rodgers and veteran backup Mason Rudolph.
Pittsburgh, currently owning a 5-4 record, will take on the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.