Saints WR Chris Olave is considering wearing a Guardian cap

METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave said he is considering wearing a Guardian cap in this weekend’s game against the Carolina Panthers after suffering a concussion in Week 6.

A Guardian Cap is a type of padding worn over the helmet to reduce the risk of concussions and head injuries during play. At the league’s annual meeting in March, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the use of the caps had reduced the number of concussions by 52%. Most players are required to wear them in training and have the option to wear them in games if necessary.

“I’m still thinking about it. I thought about it last game and finally decided on the regular helmet,” Olave said on Thursday.

Olave wore the Saints logo on his Guardian cap in practice on Wednesday, an indication that he was thinking about wearing it in a game, but he did not have the logo on the cap during practice on Thursday.

Olave has missed two games in his NFL career due to concussions. He suffered a concussion in Week 5 of his 2022 rookie season and missed the following game. He was forced to play in a Week 12 game against the Atlanta Falcons last year because of a concussion, but played the following week.

Olave’s most recent concussion occurred in the first quarter of a Week 6 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Olave was hit in the helmet area after catching a pass from rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler. The ball was fumbled and returned for a touchdown while Olave remained on the ground. He eventually got up and was checked for a concussion before going to the locker room, where he was ejected from the game.

Olave did not play in the Saints’ next game, which came just days later on a Thursday night against the Denver Broncos.

When Olave returned to his game against the Los Angeles Chargers last week, he touched his shoulder to his helmet. He was taken to the injury tent and checked for a concussion but returned to play in the game.

“I was a good man,” Olave said. “I know with every big hit they kind of check for concussions and stuff like that, especially when it comes to my history. When I got up I felt fine though, so I knew I could go back in.”

Olave said there was consideration about wearing a Guardian cap in the Chargers game, but he switched to a new helmet instead. He said he doesn’t know what type of helmet he has now, only that “it’s just the best helmet they have.”

“I just felt like I swapped my helmet for the best helmet, so the hit I took in the game didn’t hurt as much as it did with the other helmet,” Olave said. “After changing the helmet, I felt like I could do well without the Guardian cap.”

Several players across the league have chosen to wear Guardian Caps in games this year. Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has opted not to wear one in the game after returning from a concussion that led to him being placed on injured reserve. Titans tight end Josh Whyle and linebacker Otis Reese IV are among those wearing them in games, as is Buccaneers lineman Luke Goedeke. Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was among a group of players who wore the caps in the preseason.