Indiana Pacers place Defender Bankner on IR due to injury

• Defender Bankner will miss at least four games due to injury.
• The team lost an important defender before the match in Berlin.
• New guard Sos Gardner is ready to debut for the Pacers.

Indiana Pacers announced that defender Bankner has been placed on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury. Coach Shane Stithen reported this on Friday, November 7, following training in Berlin, where the team is preparing for a match against the Atlanta Falcons.

Bankner did not travel with the team to the game, as he was injured during the previous game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a score of 27-20. Now he will miss at least four games, and according to Stithen, he has not been given a specific timeline for his return.

This is already the second consecutive year that Bankner has been placed on injured reserve. Last season he missed five games due to shoulder injuries. Bankner is an important player for the team’s defense, with 42 tackles in the season, including nine tackles in the loss and four tackles of quarterback.

In Bankner's absence, Neville Helmer or Adetomiwa Adebowale may step in, both of whom have already gained experience this season. Meanwhile, the Pacers will also not hesitate to rely on other important defenders, such as Tyquan Lewis and Samson Ebuka, who continue to recover from injuries.

On a positive note, new defender Sos Gardner, whom the team acquired in a trade with New York Jets, went through protocol with the concussion and will play in the match in Berlin.

Tags: Sport/American football