The New Orleans Saints got some sobering news to start off their Monday following an exciting victory against the Baltimore Ravens.
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Saints will be without starting second-year left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. for four to six weeks after suffering an ankle injury in the Week 2 matchup in Baltimore.
Banks was carted off of the field late in the third quarter after quarterback Tyler Shough was sacked by Baltimore edge rusher Mike Green. Green and Banks appeared to have accidentally collided in such a way that compromised Banks’ ankle when Green was going to the ground.
Banks, a 2025 first-round selection, was tended to on the field by medical staff for an extended period before being carted off. Offensive lineman Asim Richards stepped in at left tackle for the remainder of the game.
Although the Saints will be without their top blindside tackle for an extended period, the optics of him being attended to and carted off suggested something much worse than a four to six week absence.
Considering the alternative, this is positive news and New Orleans can get their top tackle back before the season is over.
Banks will be considered a candidate for injured reserve, joining rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, linebacker Jaylen Ford and long snapper Zach Wood as those eligible to return from the injury list after each sees at least a four-week absence.
The Saints will face a tall task this week in their home opener against the Las Vegas Raiders and top edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who has 1.5 sacks on the season.
Shough is already the NFL’s second-most sacked quarterback, having been taken down eight times. Losing the starting blindside tackle isn’t a comforting feeling for a quarterback who averaged more than three sacks per game taken as a starter last season.
But the fact that the door is open for an in-season return is a positive one.
