Kellen Moore lumped Kelvin Banks Jr. in with Jordyn Tyson and Travis Etienne when discussing making a decision on whether players on injured reserve would return to practice, and it seemed out of place when he said it. Tyson and Etienne weren't guarantees but appeared to be legitamate return candidates. Then Wednesday rolled around and Banks was on the practice field.
This was nowhere close to the timeline many expected for Banks to return. He had a high ankle sprain that was bad enough to require surgery, and the surgical component projected an absence of 10 weeks at best. Banks has returned to practice just six weeks after surgery, so even if he takes the full three week practice window, he'll still be a week early.
The original 10 week timetable was the best case scenario and was viewed moreso as a range for him to be cleared, not play in live action. Rather than be back for the last month of the season, Banks could return with essentially half of the season remaining.
Even if it's not this week, Saints fans should be excited for Kelvin Banks' return
Banks returning so far ahead of schedule makes it interesting to watch just how close he is to being active. It feels like a longshot for him to play this week, but it also felt like a longshot for him to practice, so we'll see.
Whether or not the left tackle plays against the Browns is irrelevant. Knowing he's close to returning is enough to satisfy. The Saints have desperately missed Banks in the six weeks since his injury, and the impact was felt instantaneously.
Going from Banks to Asim Richards was always going to be a drop off, but the Saints have made it worse by treating Richards just like they'd treat Banks. Richards has been both used on an island more than most offensive tackles in the league and one of the least successful in that situation.
Leaving his offensive tackles isolated is clearly a part of Kellen Moore's philosophy, and Banks is much better at it than Richards. That alone is a major reason his return will help the offense take a step forward.
The Saints have been cautious with injuries this year, so they aren't going to rush him back. They also shouldn't. Banks has a long future, and giving him the proper time to heal will keep this from being an ongoing issue.
Banks will give the offense a boost, but he shouldn't be viewed as a savior. What he will do is protect Tyler Shough's blind side at a much better rate. With how much the Saints pass the ball, there may not be a more valuable asset to the team.
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