This is a stunner. New Orleans Saints left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. returned to practice on Wednesday, putting him more than a month ahead of schedule from ankle surgery back in September. Banks can practice for the next two weeks before the Saints must choose whether to activate him from injured reserve, but he’s at least trending in the right direction.
New Orleans needs him. Backup left tackle Asim Richards has struggled mightily in his absence, not helped by a lack of support from his play caller and head coach Kellen Moore. Richards has been tasked with blocking on an island (without help from a tight end or chipping running back) even more often than Banks was.
You just hope the Saints aren’t rushing him back too soon. Banks was initially
reported to be out indefinitely before a loose return date in mid-December was given as a best-case scenario. But he’s been diligent in his rehab assignments and clearly is well ahead of expectations in recovery. If he’s ready to play, he’ll be out there with the rest of the starting offense.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints left tackle back from injured reserve a month ahead of schedule
