A new opportunity awaits at pro football’s mountaintop for rookie running back Damon Bankston: the University of New Mexico alum has now joined the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad. Bankston initially signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in May, before being released for final roster cuts after training camp.
Bankston played in all three of the preseason games for the Giants. The first matchup versus the Minnesota Vikings wasn’t very eventful for Bankston, as he saw action on a minimal 3 carries for 6 yards.
His impact became more apparent in the next two games with more opportunities. Against the Miami Dolphins in week two, he showed his capability in the return game, as he had a big 29-yard kick return. In their 23-6 win over the New York Jets, his productivity was on full display, leading the team in rushing with 11 carries for 62 yards.
The Packers met with Bankston as a pre-draft visit, making the signing an inevitability. He will join Pierre Strong Jr. as the second running back on the team’s practice squad.
While Strong is a plug-in-place veteran, Bankston is a prospect who can be developed into a player worthy of making the 53-man roster. With a new team also typically comes a new number, and Bankston will wear 35 with Green Bay.
Packers starting running back Josh Jacobs is expected to be out of play for a long period of time while on the commissioner’s exempt list after being charged with battery and criminal damage to property last month. Questions surround an inexperienced backfield as Marshawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks and Kaleb Johnson are expected to fill in for the Packers at running back. All three have less than 100 carries throughout their professional careers. Bankston could provide added depth for Green Bay and have his number called up at any point this season.
Alex Joe is a freelance videographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo
