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Former Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Brant Banks was waived by the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, only elongating the odd journey he’s been on over the last couple of weeks. Banks originally signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent this offseason and had been on the team up until last week.
Banks started the season on the team’s practice squad, where he was called up directly from the practice squad once for game action. In Week 4, with the offensive line suffering even more injuries, the Packers elevated Banks to the 53-man roster and made him active against the Dallas Cowboys.
In that game, Banks was responsible for allowing a blocked kick that ultimately turned a win into a tie. Shortly after, the Packers waived him, though it’s uncertain whether or not the team planned on adding him back to their practice squad. Remember, Green Bay created two open roster spots on the 53-man roster and has since opened up the practice windows for receiver Christian Watson and offensive lineman Jacob Monk to return to the team. There’s no promise that the waiving of Banks was a spiteful “you cost us a game, go away” release, as it could be easily explained by the Packers just wanting to make room for potential Watson and Monk returns.
When Banks was waived off the 53-man roster, the undrafted rookie was claimed by the Tennessee Titans, who had top waiver priority in the league. There have not been reports about whether or not other teams attempted to claim Banks when he was first available.
Picking up a player on waivers is actually much cheaper for teams than poaching a player off the practice squad. Waiver players are not guaranteed any salary, while teams that claim a player off practice squads must guarantee that player at least three weeks of active roster pay and allocate a 53-man roster spot for him over those weeks, too. That’s why the Titans made the claim of Banks, but didn’t have interest in poaching him directly off the Packers’ practice squad.
Now that Banks is available again, with the Packers dealing with injuries to Rasheed Walker, Aaron Banks, Zach Tom and Anthony Belton, Green Bay could very well be interested in adding Banks back to at least their practice squad. Hell, he might end up suiting up for the team on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, as the Packers will need to call up at least one offensive lineman (be it Monk or a practice squadder) if even two of their 53-man roster offensive linemen are out of commission.
Teams have until tomorrow to put in their waiver claims on Banks.
