Retour
Kelvin Banks was reportedly supposed to be out until December when the New Orleans Saints left tackle underwent tightrope surgery on the high-ankle sprain he suffered in September.
But the 22-year-old has beaten that timeline.
The Saints plan to activate Banks off injured reserve for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns, giving New Orleans a major boost along the offensive line, according to a report. Banks had been listed as questionable, but returned to practice earlier this week.
Banks missed the Saints’ last five games, and the team went 1-4 in his absence.
Asim Richards, Banks’ replacement, struggled when in the lineup: According to Pro Football Focus, Richards had allowed a pressure percentage of 10.6%, the second-worst mark behind on Miami’s Austin Jackson. Banks’s pressure percentage, by contrast, was 6.9%.
Banks’ return, first reported by ESPN, is one of two major additions for the Saints’ offense this weekend. The team also plans to activate rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson for his season debut.