The New Orleans Saints will likely have to rely on a backup left tackle for the foreseeable future.
Saints LT Kelvin Banks is feared to have a high ankle sprain after going down vs the Ravens in Week 2, according to a report from the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The team is still assessing the extent of the injury, but high ankle sprains typically carry a multiple week recovery timeline, at minimum. Whether the Saints opt to place Banks on IR will be an indicator of where that timeline stands, as an IR trip would mean a minimum of 4 weeks out.
The injury occurred in the third quarter of the Saints' 24-17 win over the Ravens, with Banks having his left ankle rolled up on as he was blocked Ravens DE Trey Hendrickson. The second-year pro and former first-round pick remained down on the field for several minutes before being carted back to the locker room.
Banks has been a steady presence for the Saints at left tackle since he was selected No. 9 overall in 2025, starting in all 19 possible games, though he did leave early due to an ankle injury last year in Week 18 against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Saints turned to swing tackle Asim Richards the rest of the way and scored touchdowns on their final two drives to stun the Ravens in their hope opener. Richards started four games last year and logged 363 snaps, the majority coming at right tackle in place of Taliese Fuaga. Richards was acquired via a trade with the Cowboys late in the 2025 preseason following an injury to Landon Young.
Should Banks miss extended time, the immediate question for the Saints to answer will be whether to keep continuity along the OL and insert Richards at left tackle, or flip Fuaga to the left side and have Richards take over at RT. Fuaga started 17 games at left tackle as a rookie in 2024 before being shifted back to his more natural RT spot prior to last season.
At 1-1, the Saints will return home for a three-game stretch starting in Week 3. Their first test will come against the surprising Raiders (2-0), a team led by former Saints OC Klint Kubiak at head coach and an all-too-familiar starting QB in Kirk Cousins. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.
