What Chris Olave believed was a bruised rib following his eight-catch, 119-yard, one-touchdown performance in a 34-26 victory over Tennessee turned out to be much more serious for the New Orleans Saints fourth-year receiver.
"Sunday night and Monday night, it was tough kind of rolling over in my sleep," Olave said Monday, addressing the media in the locker room during the team's final availability. "Tuesday it got worse and I contacted the trainers, came in. They thought it was a kidney stone at first, but ended up going to the hospital and getting CAT scans and they found a blood clot."
Olave missed the season finale Sunday against Atlanta, but is expected to fully recover from the blood clot.
"They were all at the hospital with me, all the trainers and (Saints team doctor) Dr. (John) Amoss," Olave said. "They told me right away I was going to be good, so I just kind of followed their plan and trusted their word.
"They're still trying to figure out where it came from. I don't really know where it came from, so I'm trying to figure it out, too."
Olave is under contract through next season but is seeking an extension and wants to remain with the Saints. The Titans game, on Dec. 28, was his 16th of the season and helped him equal, eclipse or extend career highs in games played, receptions (100), receiving yards (1,163) and receiving touchdowns (nine).
"I feel like I'm in a good place. I feel like I had a good year," he said. "I feel like I left some yards out there, but I feel like I had a good year and we finished the year off strong, especially with (quarterback) Tyler (Shough) back there. I'm excited for next year."
Olave said the combination of Shough and Coach Kellen Moore is a strong factor in wanting to remain a Saint.
"It makes me want to stay here even more," he said. "I know what's going to be here with Kellen. Tyler is a great quarterback and that's probably the main two things you need as a receiver. It makes me want to get that contract done even more. Hopefully, it happens soon."
