​METAIRIE, La. – The Saints acquired tackle Asim Richards last August from the Cowboys for a future late-round pick swap, and with Kelvin Banks needing surgery for the high-ankle injury he suffered in Saturday’s win over Baltimore, Richards is now tasked with protecting Tyler Shough’s blindside.”I am ready for the opportunity,” Richards said. “It’s a big one and I am ready for it. You’ve seen me at right tackle a lot last year and now you’ll see me at left. I am coming into my own,” Richards said.Richardson entered the game late in the third against the Ravens following Banks’ injury. Kellen Moore said he held his own against former Saint and four-time Pro Bowler Trey Hendrickson.”Asim has done a really nice job,” Moore said. “He has prepared every week as if he was going to play. You saw that by how he handled that situation by going to Baltimore and hopping in there. He will do some good stuff.”The Saints have a lot of momentum right now, so there is plenty of pressure on Richards. He welcomes it”I’ve been playing football my whole life. I am just playing the game that I love,” Richards said.And the black and gold’s second-year QB has all the trust in the world in Richards to protect him.”I have the utmost confidence in him,” Shough said. “Played multiple positions last year and has consistently answered the bell. I feel like he’s the most consistent guy on that line. It’s not the easiest thing to come in right away, but he prepares every week. He’s ready to go,” Shough said. The Saints host the Raiders on Sunday at 3:25.New Orleans EMS expands ambulance blood transfusion abilityAsim Richards is ready to step in at left tackle for the Saints while Kelvin Banks is outFay re-emerges as a Tropical Depression in the AtlanticNASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip steps away from public life due to progressive brain disease‘Home Improvement’ actor Jonathan Taylor Thomas arrested in CaliforniaCopyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.