Calculated risk backfires, and Packers lose promising offensive lineman in unexpected fashion
Brant Banks is headed elsewhere.
The Green Bay Packers had to make a series of roster moves last week with injuries across the offensive line. One of them was promoting undrafted rookie tackle Brant Banks from the practice squad to the active roster.
The problem is that the Packers wanted the roster spot again and waived Banks on Tuesday, hoping that he would clear waivers and re-sign to the practice squad. Well, that plan didn’t work exactly as the Packers would have preferred. Banks was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday, going to the active roster in Nashville.
Brant Banks’ key stats in preseason
- 50 total snaps (22 pass, 28 run) at LT
- 89.1 pass block grade
- 69.3 run block grade
- 0 pressures given up
- 100% block efficiency
Incredible preseason performance
Banks was one of the most notable players in the preseason for the Packers. Obviously, he had the majority of his reps against backups and third-stringers, but he did pretty well. Banks had 50 snaps at left tackle, not giving up a single pressure.
The undrafted rookie finished the preseason with an 89.1 pass block grade via PFF, the best mark among Packers’ offensive linemen in the exhibition games.
Banks played college football at Nebraska and then Rice, where he spent his final two years of eligibility. Undrafted, he signed with the Packers immediately after the draft was over.
When a player is on the practice squad, he’s free to sign with anyone else. But at least the Packers would have the chance to match the offer. When it’s a waiver claim, though, the player and the original team don’t have a say.
Offensive line depth
The Packers now have nine linemen on the 53-man roster: Rasheed Walker, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan, Zach Tom, Jordan Morgan, Anthony Belton, Darian Kinnard, and Donovan Jennings. Veteran Lecitus Smith and rookie Dalton Cooper are on the practice squad.
The good news is that center Jacob Monk and guard John Williams are eligible to return from IR/PUP, respectively, and Monk should be good to play relatively soon.
However, losing a promising offensive lineman is never the ideal outcome.
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