New Orleans Saints winger Chris Olave is expected to be placed on injured reserve, according to multiple reports Saturday morning. Olave suffered a concussion early in last week’s loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Olave, 24, has suffered two concussions this year and was evaluated two weeks ago against the Chargers. He was also diagnosed with additional concussions early in his brief three-year NFL career with the Saints.

Interim coach Darren Rizzi said earlier this week that he would consult with experts and his family to determine the best path for Olave’s future. A place on injured reserve would require him to miss at least four games, but for precautionary reasons it could be the rest of the season.

Chris Olave was a first-round pick by the Saints in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He was the 11th overall and third receiver that year. He has consistently shown why it was smart for the Saints to invest a high bet on him.

As a rookie, Olave passed for 72, 1,042 yards, leading the team in both categories. He would repeat this feat in 2023, making 87 receptions for 1,123 yards. In the process, he became the third player in franchise history to surpass 1,000 yards in his first two years with the team.

This season, concussions caused Olave to miss most of one game and two others. Despite this, he has 32 catches for a team-high 400 yards. Olave, along with Alvin Kamara and the injured Rashid Shaheed, have been the only consistent producers in the Saints offense.

Olave joins Shaheed on injured reserve. Shaheed (knee) has been out since Week 6 and will miss the rest of this season. Reserve WR Cedrick Wilson (shoulder) will also miss this week’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. Rookie WR Bub Means (ankle) also remains on injured reserve.

New Orleans’ depleted receiving corps only has Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the active roster, along with undrafted rookies Mason Tipton and Jermaine Jackson. Equanimeous St. Brown, Dante Pettis and Kevin Austin are on the practice squad. At least one or two of these receivers will undoubtedly be called up to the active roster to face the Falcons.

New Orleans is 2-7 and continues to suffer injuries. They will try to snap a seven-game losing streak against rival Atlanta, which leads the NFC South with a 6-3 record.