1:15pm: Banks did indeed suffer a “severe” high ankle sprain, Rapoport reports. As a result, surgery is now expected. With an indefinite absence in store, a move to injured reserve would come as no surprise.
9:57am: The Saints recorded a comeback win on Sunday but their offense was dealt a notable blow in the process. Left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. was carted off the field, and he appears to be in line to miss time.
New Orleans believes Banks suffered a high ankle sprain yesterday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. An MRI is scheduled for today, and that will provide further clarity with respect to Banks’ recovery timeline. As Rapoport notes, though, high ankle sprains typically require four to six week absences.
As a result, a stint on injured reserve may prove to be necessary in this case. That would represent a challenge up front for the Saints, given Banks’ importance. The ninth overall pick in last year’s draft was a full-time starter during his rookie season, and he managed to play all 17 games. It appears as though that feat will not be matched in 2026, though, something which threatens to impact New Orleans’ play along the offensive line for the time being.
Banks, 22, faced uncertainty in terms of his best position upon entering the NFL. He spent time at multiple spots leading up to his rookie year, but the Saints wound up using him exclusively on the blindside. Banks remained the team’s left tackle starter through the opening stages of the current campaign, and the Texas product will be expected to reprise that role upon returning to full health. For now, at least, a contingency plan will need to be put in place.
Asim Richards took over from Banks to close out yesterday’s game. The fourth-year blocker has totaled 38 appearances and five starts in the NFL across time in Dallas and New Orleans. A stint atop the left tackle depth chart might now prove to be necessary, depending on imaging in Banks’ case.
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