Steelers right tackle Zach Banner has been diagnosed with a torn ACL in his right knee, according to a source who spoke with NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). Once confirmed by a second opinion, Banner will be placed on injured reserve and sidelined for the remainder of the season. 
Banner, an absolutely mammoth human being at 6’9″, 360 pounds, was selected by the Colts in the fourth round of the 2017 draft. However, the USC product didn’t make it through final cutdowns in Indianapolis, and became the highest rookie draft choice to be waived that year. Banner later hooked on with the Steelers and went on to flatten the opposition as a reserve in 2019. This year, Banner re-upped on a one-year, $1.75MM deal and won the starting right tackle job. Before the injury, he seemed destined for a big pay day in 2021.
Chukwuma Okorafor – nearly as imposing at 6’6″ and 320 pounds – will likely replace Banner in the starting lineup. Beyond that, the Steelers may survey out-of-house options for depth. After downing the Giants on Monday night, they’ll take on the Broncos in Week 2.
Damned shame. Hopefully, Banner will fully heal and get his chance in 2021.
Love ZB. Praying for a quick recovery!
Jerald Hawkins has been signed from the Texans practice squad
With everything going on in ’20, it’s easy to forget that these are games being played by very passionate individuals. When they showed Banner on the sidelines after his injury, the look on his face was completely heartbreaking. The guys calling the game mentioned how hard he worked to be named the starter and (in a tone I felt was very respectful) said something along the lines of “He looks like a man afraid that his 2020 season is in the books.”
Hope he’s an all Pro next year.
I heard him on the radio last week talking about how appreciative he was to have come this far and how he knew he had to work just as hard to keep the spot, etc.
It was tough to watch Banner sitting on the bench feeling the physical and emotional pain. Hopefully his rehab goes well and he is back starting in 2021.
Man went through a lot, had a hard time making a roster and worked himself up to starter just for this to happen