Report: Saints LT Kelvin Banks Jr. needs surgery, 'out indefinitely'

Things just went from bad to worse for the New Orleans Saints. Further testing on Kelvin Banks Jr.'s injured ankle revealed that he'll need surgery to repair it, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Rapoport initially reported that Banks had a high-ankle sprain and would miss four to six weeks. But now that the Saints have done more thorough exams, the need for surgery means he'll be "out indefinitely." NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill adds that "Sounds like 10 weeks is the best-case scenario."

Losing their left tackle for four games would have been bad enough; now the Saints are going to spend months without him, in hopes that he could return in time for a December playoff push. But that's taking a very optimistic approach to what will be a grueling rehab for a young player.

New Orleans built a ton of momentum by taking the Detroit Lions to overtime in Week 1 and upsetting the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2. The Saints have to maintain it without one of their most promising assets. It's disappointing that we won't see Banks and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, the team's last two first-round picks, share the field until the regular season's final weeks -- if at all. For their part, the Saints must call on the next man up. Veteran swing tackle Asim Richards is going to be under a lot of pressure to deliver. Expect the team to explore their options in reinforcing the depth chart.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Report: Saints LT Kelvin Banks Jr. needs surgery, 'out indefinitely'