UPDATE: Saints OT Kelvin Banks Jr. Expected to Undergo Surgery

Nick Ten Eyck September 21, 2026·1 min read

Saints OT Kelvin Banks Jr. is now expected to undergo surgery after further testing revealed a severe high-ankle sprain, according to Ian Rapoport.

#Saints OT Kelvin Banks Jr suffered a severe high-ankle sprain and is now expected to have surgery to repair it, tests revealed today. He is out indefinitely.

Banks, one of the top young OTs, has a chance to return late in the season if all goes well. But a significant loss. pic.twitter.com/Yp0g5hfHha
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 21, 2026

Banks is out indefinitely, but Rapoport reports the young offensive tackle could return late in the season if his recovery goes well.

The updated diagnosis comes after it was initially reported that Banks could miss 4-6 weeks and potentially land on injured reserve.

Banks was carted off the field during Sunday’s game and did not return.

The Saints selected Banks with the 9th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. His extended absence will leave New Orleans without one of its starting offensive tackles for much of the season.