Saints LT Banks Jr. out indefinitely after ankle surgery — SkimNews
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- Kelvin Banks Jr. is out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain and is expected to undergo surgery, with his recovery requiring a stint on injured reserve and a possible late-season return, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
- Banks suffered the injury late in the third quarter of the Saints' 24-17 win over the Baltimore Ravens, landing awkwardly on his ankle before being carted off the field.
- Asim Richards took over at left tackle for the rest of the game after Banks exited against the Ravens.
- Banks, 22, was the ninth overall pick of the 2025 draft and started all 17 games at left tackle for New Orleans last season as a rookie.
- Taliese Fuaga, the Saints' 2024 first-round pick, started 2024 at left tackle but shifted to right tackle last season, narrowing New Orleans' in-house options to replace Banks.
Why it matters: The Saints just earned a Week 2 win but lost their 22-year-old franchise left tackle — a top-10 pick from this year's draft — indefinitely. With Fuaga entrenched on the right side after his own position switch, New Orleans' offensive line depth will be tested through Richards while banking on a late-season Banks return from IR.
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