Tom Krasovic: San Diego’s Chris Olave knows risks that come with violent sport

Concussed four times in his NFL career, San Diego’s Chris Olave will return to the New Orleans Saints’ lineup for Sunday’s opener against the Arizona Cardinals.

The receiver was knocked unconscious Nov. 3 last year and sat out the final eight games.

That made it six known concussions in college and the pros for Olave, a 6-foot San Ysidro native who starred at San Marcos’ Mission Hills High School.

Opinions will vary about whether it’s wise to stay in the NFL after so many brain injuries. Though Olave had access to medical expertise, the decision was his to make.

NFL players don’t become NFL players by playing it safe, making it probable Olave, 25, would resume a hazardous career.

“Unlucky situations” have led to his injuries, the fourth-year pro said.

Ahead of this season, which begins in the Superdome, Olave spoke to the realities of a high-risk sport.

As he must, he’ll maintain the same aggression that got him drafted 11th overall out of Ohio State and fueled two NFL seasons with 1,000 receiving yards entering last year.

“If I go out there nervous or go out there a little scared, it’s going to make me play a little slower and make me play worse, so I’m not really scared to get hit,” he said, per Nola.com. “I’m not scared to go over the middle. I’m not scared to do none of that.”

Making one small concession, Olave said he may try to get down sooner if the situation calls for it. Also, he’ll wear the NFL’s top-rated helmet for reducing head impact severity.

But there’s no way to make professional football safe for the brain.

Though the NFL remains the best sport going, it’s also a guilty pleasure for some observers due to the brain trauma it dishes out.

The Saints haven’t been great for Olave’s health, adding to his challenges.

Revisiting a point made here when the lithe receiver was drafted in 2022, New Orleans offered a great opportunity but not high-level football.

Why? Consider the Saints’ quarterback situation.

As a rookie, Olave — and Rashid Shaheed, a speedster and Mt. Carmel High School alum — caught passes from starters Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton in addition to adapting to change-of-pace QB Taysom Hill.

Last year, they worked with three new starting QBs: the now-retired Derek Carr and youngsters Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.

It’ll be Rattler against the Cardinals to start, but at some point this season, rookie Tyler Shough, a second-round pick, figures to take over.

That’s not a magnificent seven unless the rookie adapts fast, but Slough would be Olave’s seventh starting QB in four seasons.

The Chargers, among many others, would’ve been a better match for Olave. Justin Herbert and Olave would’ve thrived together. Herbert’s top-10 aptitude would’ve exposed Olave to fewer dangerous hits.

Similarly talented players in Olave’s situation have been known to request a trade at some point. But it seems probable the Saints, doubling down on their big investment in him four years ago, would discuss a long-term contract if Olave holds up this year. They’ve already picked up his option for 2026. A big chunk of guaranteed money might be extra tough for Olave to turn down, whatever the football fit.

So the two wishes for Olave this season are these:

One, a season of full health.

Two, the Saints defy experts’ grades that place their roster last in the NFL or near it.

To accomplish the latter, first-year Saints coach Kellen Moore, a former Boise State quarterback, must show that the step up from offensive coordinator with the Super Bowl champion Eagles was merited.

The most logical position from which the Saints might launch a return to respectability is offensive tackle. Rookie Kelvin Banks, the left tackle from Texas, went ninth in the draft. Taliese Fuaga, taken 14th out of Oregon State in the 2024 draft, started all 17 games as a rookie and now moves across the line to right tackle, his better spot.

If the blocking becomes solid, maybe things can work out long-term for Olave, who won often at Mission Hills and Ohio State.