Kelvin Banks Jr. is back on the practice field, and that alone changes the conversation for the Saints.
Kellen Moore had mentioned Banks alongside Jordyn Tyson and Travis Etienne when talking about players on injured reserve who might be eligible to return to practice, and at the time it felt a little surprising. Tyson and Etienne sounded like realistic possibilities.
Banks, though, seemed much farther away. Then Wednesday arrived, and there he was.
That return came well ahead of the schedule many expected. Banks had a high ankle sprain serious enough to need surgery, and the post-op timeline pointed to an absence of at least 10 weeks.
Instead, he’s back practicing just six weeks after surgery. Even if the Saints use the full three-week practice window before activating him, he’d still be back a week earlier than that best-case projection.
That original 10-week mark was never really a promise of game action anyway. It was more of a ceiling for when he might be cleared. The way things have unfolded, Banks could be back with roughly half the season still left, rather than waiting until the final month.
For Saints fans, the bigger question now is how soon he can actually get into a game. Playing against the Browns this week feels like a long shot, but then again, practicing this soon felt like a long shot too. So the door is open.
Even if Banks doesn’t suit up right away, the news is still a lift. The Saints have felt his absence since the injury, and they felt it immediately.
The drop from Banks to Asim Richards was always going to be noticeable, but the way the Saints have handled the position has made it even tougher on Richards. He’s been asked to work on an island more than most offensive tackles in the league, and the results have reflected that.
That’s part of Kellen Moore’s approach, and Banks fits it better. He’s simply more equipped to handle that kind of assignment, which is a big reason his return matters so much for the offense.
The Saints have been careful with injuries all season, and they’re not likely to change course now. They shouldn’t. Banks has a long future ahead of him, and giving him the time he needs is the best way to avoid turning this into a lingering problem.
He’s not being asked to save the offense. But he can give it a real boost, especially by protecting Tyler Shough’s blind side at a much higher level. With how often the Saints throw the ball, that may be one of the most valuable things they can get.
In Other News...
Saints Give Audric Estim Another Shot With Depth Suddenly In Play
With the backfield picture changing, the Saints are taking another look at a familiar name in Audric Estim. New Orleans brought the running back back into the fold after claiming him off waivers from Cleveland, a move that gives the team another body in a position group where depth can shift quickly and where every practice rep matters.
Estim already had a brief run with the Saints this season, and the staff now gets a fresh chance to decide where he fits. His role from here will be shaped by what he shows in practice and, if he gets the opportunity, in games, as New Orleans sorts through its options and tries to settle on the right mix in the backfield. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Suddenly Face A Very Different Browns Offense In Week 9
The Browns are suddenly looking at a very different quarterback setup for Week 9, and the Saints have to prepare accordingly. Deshaun Watson was added late to the concussion protocol and did not practice Thursday, which has put his status for the game in serious doubt as New Orleans gets ready for a matchup that had been expected to feature Clevelands usual starter.
Shedeur Sanders is now lined up to take the first snaps for the Browns, with Dillon Gabriel behind him and Taylen Green as the emergency third quarterback. Cleveland has not officially ruled Watson out yet, but the recent practice reports point in one direction, leaving the Saints to adjust for a game plan that could look a lot different than the one they were initially preparing for. [Read more 🡒]
Cesar Ruiz Is Turning Personal Tragedy Into A Message Saints Fans Will Feel
Cesar Ruiz entered this season with a deeply personal reason to think about family and the road ahead. The Saints offensive lineman became a father earlier this year when his son Caiden was born during training camp, adding a new layer to a life already shaped by loss and responsibility.
Ruiz has also opened up about losing his own father in a fatal accident as a child, and he is now using that experience to speak about road safety in a broader way. His work with AAAs Slow Down, Move Over campaign puts him in a position to remind drivers about the stakes of paying attention and giving roadside workers the space they need. [Read more 🡒]