Saints standout left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. was carted off the field with an ankle injury during Sunday’s game in Baltimore, a massive blow to New Orleans that immediately ruled him out of the contest. Banks, their No. 9 overall pick from the 2025 draft, went down awkwardly after a Mike Green sack, and initial reports are pointing to a likely high ankle sprain. This isn’t just any injury, folks, this is a big one for a team trying to build something special.
A Stalwart Down: What Banks Means To That Offense
Let’s be real, losing Kelvin Banks Jr. is a punch to the gut for the Saints’ offensive line. He wasn’t just some guy, he was truly emerging as a stalwart up front. Straight out of Texas, Banks started all seventeen games last season as a rookie and was clearly showing real strides, especially late in the year. If you look at the final five weeks of last season, Pro Football Focus had him rated as their 12th-best offensive tackle in the league. That’s top-tier stuff, making him a crucial piece of their young offensive core alongside quarterback Tyler Shough, wide receiver Chris Olave, and right tackle Taliese Fuaga. Now, with him out, they’re scrambling to protect Shough’s blind side. It’s a huge shift for their protection scheme, and you gotta wonder how this impacts their overall offensive rhythm. They were building something, and this just throws a wrench right into it.
Immediate Changes And Depth Concerns
With Banks sidelined, the Saints immediately had to turn to Asim Richards to step in at left tackle. Richards is a fourth-year pro, but he’s only got five career starts under his belt. That’s not exactly the kind of experience you want protecting your quarterback in a tough spot. To compensate for Richards stepping in, the Saints were forced to adjust their game plan, relying on an extra running back or tight end to chip in with pass protection. It’s a workaround, for sure, but it also tells you everything about their confidence in the immediate replacement. And speaking of depth, it’s not looking great. Beyond Banks, Fuaga, and Richards, the only other tackle on the roster is Mason Murphy, who came in as an undrafted free agent in 2026. If Banks misses significant time, and a high ankle sprain definitely suggests that’s a possibility, then the Saints will absolutely need to explore finding outside help. They just don’t have the bodies right now.
What’s Next For The Saints’ Young Future?
This injury to Kelvin Banks Jr. looms large over the Saints’ early season. He’s part of a really talented young offensive core, and the team’s ability to develop these guys is crucial for their future. They’re already waiting on wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, another 2025 first-round pick (No. 8 overall), who still hasn’t even made his NFL debut because of a hamstring injury. He oozes potential, but he’s on the sidelines too. Now, Banks joins him. The Saints have some serious talent on paper, but getting them all on the field and healthy is proving to be a challenge. They’ve got to figure out their O-line situation fast, or their young core, especially Shough, is going to be under immense pressure. We’ll be watching closely to see how they adapt and if they can shore up that line before things get really dicey.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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