Kelvin Banks (ankle) won’t return vs. Ravens

The team signed long snapper Cal Adomitis and reached an injury settlement with running back Audric Estime in corresponding moves. Banks is undergoing surgery for a severe high-ankle sprain. He could return later this year, but the team will be without their starting left tackle for at least four games, and likely much longer.

He’s out indefinitely and this will be a major blow for the Saints offense. There’s a chance he returns at some point later this season. He almost undoubtedly will end up on injured reserve in the next few days. Banks had a 73.5 PFF grade last year as one of the brighter rookie tackles of the class of 2025. Asim Richards would seem like the likely short-term replacement.

Banks will undergo an MRI to confirm the severity of the injury, but the second-year tackle is likely looking at a 4-6 week absence if the MRI doesn’t reveal any additional damage. Banks has started all 19 games he has appeared in for the Saints since being drafted last year. He was replaced by fourth-year tackle Asim Richards in Sunday’s win over the Ravens, who allowed two pressures on the 15 pass-blocking snaps he was in on.

Saints first-round rookie OT Kelvin Banks Jr. is already taking repetitions at left tackle, which pushes last year’s first-round pick and starting left tackle Taliese Fuaga over to the right tackle position. Penning, who manned the right tackle spot last year, will now evidently kick inside to left guard. Penning has failed to developed into a reliable pass protector through three NFL seasons but respectably earned a 70.1 PFF run-blocking grade last season. The Saints’ offensive line is rounding into form as an above-average unit.

The youngster banks $27.7 million with pen now put to paper. Banks will settle in as a handsomely paid blocker for one of Derek Carr or Tyler Shough, pending the former’s shoulder health. The former Texas tackle allowed just four career sacks in his three college seasons. The Saints also signed LB Danny Stutsman, CB Quincy Riley, RB Devin Neal, TE Moliki Matavao and EDGE Fadil Diggs to four-year contracts.

Banks Jr. (6’5/315) was considered the top offensive tackle from the 2022 prep cycle according to On3, and proved that evaluation correct by receiving FWAA Freshman All-American accolades after starting all 13 games at LT for Texas. The mountainous Longhorn recorded 930-plus snaps in each of the last two seasons while allowing just one sack in each campaign. Bolstered by a sterling 0.9 percent pressure rate allowed, the reigning Outland Trophy winner is one of only four 2025 NFL Draft tackles to record 80th-plus percentile grades in both the run and pass phases of the game. His 10 3/8th-inch hands allow him to bully smaller Edge rushers, while Banks Jr,’s 32-inch vertical (93rd) and 8.25 Relative Athletic Score solidifies his testing profile despite his non-ideal 33.5-inch arms. He’s quick enough to ride rushers past the pocket and fires out of his stance with well-timed punches. His wide hand placement on pass sets allows rushers to get in his chest, and he can get ahead of himself on pull blocks. Banks does keep his feet churning and torques his body into his run blocking. He is a projectable tackle who is also agile enough to move inside should his attempt at playing OT falter.

Banks (6'5/300) had previously committed to Oregon, but de-committed from the school on December 6th following Mario Cristobal’s decision to leave for Miami. Now Banks, a Humble, Texas native, has committed to Texas, which marks a tremendous signing for head coach Steve Sarkisian. Banks the the no. 2 rated offensive tackle of the 2022 recruiting class according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, and is the no. 15 overall player in the nation. Already possessing excellent size, Banks should fit in nicely at Texas, Banks is built to play Power Five football. He was a Texas District 21-6a first-team selection at offensive tackle as both a sophomore and junior in 2019 and 2020.

Banks (6'5"/300) decommits following Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal’s departure. Banks is the second ranked tackle in the class, and the 14th overall prospect in the nation. 247Crystal Balls have Banks staying in Texas, with 75% of them going to Texas A&M and 25% going with Texas. If the Aggies could add another five-star to their already bonkers class, A&M will be looking set for the future.

Banks had originally committed to Oklahoma State back in September of 2019, before reopening his recruitment last July. The Summer Creek HS (Summer Creek, Texas) sophomore tackle also held offers from programs such as Arizona State, Florida State, LSU, Florida, Texas and Utah. Banks is considered the second-best offensive tackle and 14th player overall from the 2022 prep class, carrying a superb .9910 player rating on the 247Sports composite. The 6-foot-5, 300 pound behemoth boasts a 6'10" wingspan and offers the ability to play tackle or slide over to guard if needed. He is a mauling drive blocker in the run game who also has active feet on contact. Banks utilizes a wide stance in pass blocking and is strong enough to still block opponents even when out of position. His knocks are that he will play with a high pad level at times and will tend to bend at the waist. Oregon now has 14 recruits in the fold for their 2022 freshman class that ranks first in the Pac-12 and ninth in the country.

Mike Gundy’s program is on the board in the Class of 2022, as Banks (6'4/280) made his pledge after wrapping up an unofficial visit to Stillwater. The Summer Creek HS (Summer Creek, Texas) sophomore tackle also held offers from programs such as Arizona State, Florida State, Texas and Utah, but he’s wasted no time pulling the trigger on a commitment to Oklahoma State. The earliest that Banks’ decision can become official (signing an NLI), is in December 2021, so his recruitment can’t be declared to be finished just yet. “The main thing that really has me ready (to commit) is that they treat me like I am family there and seeing how good their academics program was a big thing for me,” Banks told Rivals recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman. “Their push has been really good. It’s more than just football; it’s like a brotherhood. From the jump, I loved their facilities and everything, and each coach treated me like I was their own.”