Rookie receiver to miss game after knee surgery
Brandon Banks injected life into the Redskins’ offense, setting them up with good returns on punts and kickoffs. But it appears they will have to do without him for at least a week.
A team source confirmed that Banks underwent surgery on his knee during the bye week and likely will miss the game next Monday night vs. Philadelphia. There’s also a chance he would miss the following week vs. Tennessee.
In the first meeting vs. Philadelphia, Banks returned three kickoffs for 75 yards with a long of 53.
Banks, an undrafted free agent, has provided a spark in the five games that he has served as the primary punt returner, averaging 13.8 yards on 17 returns. He also has returned 16 kickoffs, including one for a touchdown, for a 27.3 average. Another touchdown return on a kickoff last week against Detroit was nullified by a penalty.
Chad Simpson can replace him on kick returns. The third-year pro out of Morgan State averaged 29.5 yards on two returns and has a career 23.7-yard average. Phillip Buchanon likely would take over on punts; he served in that role for the first three games but has 1 return yard on two punts. He fair caught three other punts.
