Derek Carr’s classy response to Michael Thomas’s blunt criticism after Chris Olave’s injury

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr found himself at the center of unexpected criticism after teammate Chris Olave’s injury during Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.

Olave, who suffered a concussion — his second of the season — became the subject of a heated exchange between Carr and former Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas on social media. Thomas, known for his passionate comments, publicly blamed Derek Carr for the incident, sparking a new level of tension.

Chris Olave’s injury and Thomas’s reaction

In the Saints’ narrow 23-22 loss, Olave was hit by Panthers safety Xavier Woods while attempting to catch a high pass from Derek Carr. Woods, flagged for unnecessary roughness, delivered a blow that left Olave motionless on the field. Players and medical personnel gathered around as he was placed on a cart and taken to the hospital.

Olave later reassured fans, posting on X, “Thank God Preciate all the love & prayers ima be aight.”

But the injury led to a harsh social media response from Thomas, who took to his X account to voice his frustration with Carr’s role in the play. “Dude. Scary and panic and just throw the ball,” he wrote, calling out Carr’s handling of the play.

Derek Carr responds to Thomas’s comments

Following the game, Carr addressed Thomas’s comments with a composed response. Rather than fueling the conflict, he conveyed a sense of empathy for Thomas, highlighting his longstanding approach to maintaining a positive connection with teammates, even those with whom he might not share a close bond.

Carr responded, “I’ve had so many teammates over the years and he’s like the one dude that didn’t get along with me. And I don’t know what I did to him. I don’t know why he feels that way.” He added that he had reached out to Thomas on several occasions, even calling him directly, but had received no response.

Derek Carr: “It’s just something I would never do”

In addressing the injury itself, Carr was firm about his intentions on the field, making it clear that he would never intentionally put a teammate in a risky situation. Reflecting on the play, he explained,

“It was single high, the ball went to where we talked about it going and Chris got hit in the head unfortunately. That happens in our game, and I would never do it on purpose.”

Michael Thomas took to social media to criticize Derek Carr 😳

MT not holding back on his former QB… pic.twitter.com/0G37uIArx0

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 3, 2024

Carr also emphasized his feelings, stating,

“I have a pit in my stomach any time one of my teammates goes down because I love them that much. No matter if I like them or not.” He expressed deep regret over the situation and added that while Thomas had the right to his own opinion, it would not change his commitment to supporting his teammates.

Michael Thomas’s ongoing frustration

Thomas’s posts aren’t the first time he’s publicly taken issue with Carr. After his release from the Saints earlier this year, Thomas had criticized Carr multiple times on social media. In January, he blamed Carr for causing his season-ending injury, even suggesting that Carr “set him up with a bad ball.”

Thomas’s frustrations resurfaced as he continued to voice dissatisfaction over Olave’s injury, directing his anger back toward Carr.

This latest exchange between Thomas and Carr has only highlighted a longstanding rift. Carr’s choice to respond in a respectful, collected manner speaks volumes about his approach as a leader on and off the field. Despite the tension, Carr’s ultimate focus remains on his team and his responsibility as quarterback — a role he takes seriously as he navigates his first season with the Saints.

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