New Orleans Saints left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. is out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain and will undergo surgery in the next few days, coach Kellen Moore announced Monday.
Moore said the Saints would have a better idea on a timeline for Banks' return after the surgery is completed.
"So, unfortunate thing for Kelvin, but we'll just take this thing step by step and then figure out the timeline after," Moore said.
Banks almost certainly will be placed on injured reserve. Moore said there's a possibility that Banks will be able to return later this season.
Banks suffered his injury late in the third quarter of the Saints' 24-17 win against the Baltimore Ravens. Banks landed awkwardly on his ankle and stayed on the ground after the play, eventually getting into a cart and leaving the field. Asim Richards took over at left tackle for the rest of the game.
"Asim was asked to play a number of snaps last year, and he'll be asked to play a number of snaps this year. I think he's gotten better through the offseason," Moore said. "I thought he hopped in there and battled. He's gone against Trey [Hendrickson] in a couple passing situations. I thought he held his own, and so we'll prepare with him getting as many reps as he possibly can and so then he'll be ready to go."
Banks, 22, was the ninth pick of the 2025 draft and started all 17 games at left tackle for New Orleans last season. Taliese Fuaga, the Saints' 2024 first-round draft pick, started the 2024 season at left tackle but switched to right tackle last season.
