Chris Olave return timeline: Will Saints WR play Week 14 vs Bucs?

Chris Olave is officially listed as questionable for the New Orleans Saints’ Week 14 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of a back injury that limited him in practice this week.

Despite that designation, multiple reports say the Saints expect their No. 1 wide receiver to suit up on Sunday, with team insider Nick Underhill answering a fan’s question about Olave’s status with one word: “playing.”

The Saints enter the matchup at 2–10 and travel to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, for a divisional game on Sunday, December 7, 2025, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET.

Chris Olave return timeline and latest injury update for Week 14

Olave’s back issue first surfaced during practice in the lead-up to the Week 13 loss against the Miami Dolphins, when he dealt with back spasms and carried a questionable tag into that game.

He was active in Miami and produced four catches for 47 yards and a touchdown, showing he could play through the discomfort even while not at full strength.

This week, the back problem lingered. The Saints’ injury report listed Olave as a non-participant on Wednesday before he returned in a limited capacity on Thursday and Friday, leading to the “questionable” game status for Week 14 against Tampa Bay.

Back spasms can be unpredictable, which is why the team kept the final designation conservative. But reporting around the league has grown more optimistic as the weekend approached.

Pro Football Network noted on Saturday that Underhill confirmed Olave will play in Week 14, framing the back issue as something to manage rather than a reason to shut him down.

Fantasy-focused outlet Draft Sharks echoed that tone, stating Olave is “expected to play vs. the Buccaneers,” while still warning that the injury adds some risk.

For now, the return timeline is simple. Barring a setback in warmups, Olave is on track to be active against Tampa Bay, and there has been no suggestion of a longer-term absence beyond Week 14.

On the season, Olave has 78 receptions for 781 yards and five touchdowns, remaining the focal point of New Orleans’ passing game in his fourth NFL season.

At age 25, he has formed an important connection with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, giving the Saints a reliable chain-mover and red-zone option even in a difficult year.

The back issue will likely be monitored week to week, but there is no public indication that the team plans to sit him for an extended stretch as of now.

How Olave’s Week 14 status shapes the Saints offense vs Tampa Bay

Having Olave available changes the entire look of the Saints’ offense. When he is on the field, defenses must account for his route-running and volume of targets, which can open space for secondary options and the run game.

New Orleans is already dealing with key losses. Star running back Alvin Kamara has been ruled out for Week 14 with knee and ankle issues, while right tackle Taliese Fuaga and safety Justin Reid are also sidelined.

That makes Olave’s presence even more valuable. Without Kamara, the Saints need efficient passing downs and explosive plays through the air to keep up with a Buccaneers team that has playoff ambitions.

Behind Olave, the Saints’ wide receiver depth chart features Kevin Austin Jr., Mason Tipton, and Devaughn Vele, who would all see expanded roles if Olave were limited or suffered an in-game setback.

With Olave expected to go, those receivers can instead complement him rather than replace him, allowing head coach Kellen Moore to call a more balanced and aggressive passing script.{index=12}

From a broader perspective, the final stretch of the 2025 season is about evaluation as much as results for a 2–10 team. Every snap Olave plays with Shough offers the staff more tape on how their young quarterback and top receiver function together against quality opponents like Tampa Bay.

In short, Chris Olave’s return timeline now points toward him playing through his back issue in Week 14, with the Saints expecting him to be on the field in Tampa, even if the team continues to monitor his workload and comfort level right up until kickoff.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Is Chris Olave playing in Week 14 vs the Buccaneers?

Olave is officially listed as questionable with a back injury, but team insider reports say he is expected to play against the Buccaneers in Week 14, barring a late setback.

Q2: What is Chris Olave’s current injury and how did it start?

Olave is dealing with back spasms that first became an issue during practice before the Week 13 game against the Dolphins. He managed to play through the injury in Miami and is now trying to do the same in Week 14.

Q3: What are Chris Olave’s 2025 season stats so far?

Through 12 games in the 2025 season, Olave has 78 catches for 781 receiving yards and five touchdowns, remaining the Saints’ most productive wideout.

Q4: How does Chris Olave’s injury affect the Saints’ game plan?

If Olave plays, the Saints can keep their usual passing structure, with him as the primary target and deep-threat option. If his back flares up, New Orleans would lean more on Kevin Austin Jr. and other receivers, which could reduce their explosive-play ceiling.

Q5: What is Chris Olave’s longer-term return timeline beyond Week 14?

The Saints have not announced any long-term shutdown or specific multi-week timetable. For now, the plan appears to be managing his back spasms on a week-to-week basis while he continues to play when healthy enough to do so.