The New Orleans Saints didn't upset the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday and leave unscathed. Second-year left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. went down with an injury; last year's first-round draft pick out of Texas has been a big part of the team's success, and life without him could be hazardous. Banks was rolled up on from behind while blocking a Ravens defender on Sunday afternoon, which sent him to the ground. Unable to put weight on his left leg, the Saints helped him to a trainer's cart and sent him to the locker room for examination. He was quickly ruled out with an ankle injury.
But we don't know yet just what he's dealing with or how long he could be sidelined. Saints head coach Kellen Moore was short on details in his postgame press conference.
"It always hurts when we lose guys. Guys compete and, you know, Kelvin's got an ankle. We'll see what this thing looks like, um, tomorrow," Moore said. "But our guys hung in there. So, uh, they kept battling and I thought (Asim Richards) did a good job of stepping in there. You know, that's, that's a good front. They're a talented front and he did a really good job stepping in there."
You hope it's not as bad as it looks. A sprained ankle could keep Banks out of action for weeks, but if it's broken, he's looking at a monthslong recovery. From Moore's statement it sounds like the team has to wait for swelling to go down to get a better idea of his condition. In the meantime, they do have a reliable backup in Richards, and another one in William Sherman. Rookies Alan Herron and Alex Wollschlaeger are on the practice squad with Easton Kilty, another reserve with guard-tackle flexibility. We'll learn more Monday about what the immediate plans are at left tackle. With talented pass rushers like Maxx Crosby and Dallas Turner in their future, let's hope the Saints are ready.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Kelvin Banks Jr. injury: Saints coach says update will have to wait
