Saints WR Chris Olave cleared to play Thursday vs. Rams

New Orleans Saints (7-7) head coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday that receiver Chris Olave has been cleared to play in Thursday’s Week 16 road contest against the Los Angeles Rams (7-7).

Olave, sidelined for this past Sunday’s 24-6 Week 15 win over the New York Giants (5-9) with an ankle injury, participated in full during Wednesday’s practice.

“Olave is good to go,” Allen said, via Katherine Terrell of ESPN.

The 23-year-old leads the Saints with 72 receptions for 918 yards and four touchdowns. The Saints are fortunate to have him Thursday as they enter a matchup with playoff implications in the NFC. New Orleans has an identical record as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) for the top spot in the NFC South. Tampa Bay, however, owns the tiebreaker, having defeated New Orleans in Week 4. The two teams will meet next Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.

Chris Olave making Saints return on short week

The Saints have won back-to-back games after dropping three straight, putting them in prime position to make a playoff push.

“We’re all just getting more comfortable with each other,” quarterback Derek Carr said. “This is some of the things that we saw in training camp that we could be. It’s been clicking for us. Everyone is on the same page, everyone is doing their job. That sounds so cliché, but that’s a big part of it. Everybody just does their job, is at the right spot when you need them, the quarterback getting the ball to them – all those things.

“It’s been a lot of fun, it’s been nice to see what it can be and what we’re hoping to improve on, also. Everybody is doing their job at a high level, and that’s what it takes to win, especially late in an NFL season.”

Though it’s a short week and a long trip out west, Carr is confident the team will be ready to play.

“I’ve had games like, you’re really frustrated after the game and I’m like, I’m glad I don’t have to wait until Sunday. And then also after a good game that we have as a team, you’re like, can we play today?” Carr said. “You want to get back out there because you feel good.

“I think, really, it’s in the mind-set. You’ve got to set your mind for Thursdays. They’re going to happen, whether you want them to or not. And you’ve got to bring the energy and the effort to have a good day.”