Caleb Banks Getting the All Clear in June and NFL Teams Just Found Out

The Seahawks and every other team in the league got some good news today about one of the draft's top defensive tackles. Caleb Banks, the Florida defensive end, is on track to be fully cleared for football activities in early June, according to a letter teams received Wednesday. Banks had surgery back on March 9 to repair a fractured fourth metatarsal in his left foot, and a CT scan on Tuesday showed he's healing right on schedule.

The Timeline Matters Here

Dr. Norman Waldrop, the foot and ankle specialist handling Banks' recovery at the Andrews Clinic, signed off on the progress. Early June clearance means Banks will have time to get back on the field before the draft rolls around. That's huge for a guy trying to prove he's healthy and worth a high pick.

Banks had a monster performance at the Senior Bowl back in January that shot his draft stock up. But then he broke the same foot at the NFL combine in February, which raised some real red flags. He'd already missed most of the 2025 season at Florida because of an injury to that same foot, playing in just three games.

Why Banks Still Matters to Draft Scouts

Look, the injury concerns are real, but Banks is a legit prospect. At 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds, he's already ranked in the top five defensive tackles across ESPN's analyst ratings. Both Jordan Reid and Field Yates have him pegged as the No. 3 defensive tackle in the class. Back in 2024, Banks was dominant in the SEC, racking up seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and showing the kind of interior pressure that NFL teams are looking for.

The June clearance gives Banks the chance to get back on the field and show scouts that foot is behind him. That's when we'll really know if he's ready to play in the NFL or if the injury history is going to cost him some draft capital.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.