Deonte Banks might need his slate cleaned again.
Left for bust after the last two seasons, the former first-round pick has shown signs of reviving his once-promising career during Giants training camp under new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson.
But practice isn’t meaningful if it doesn’t translate to games, and the handsy Banks committed two illegal-contact penalties (one declined) while starting and logging 23 defensive snaps Saturday in a 13-10 preseason loss to the Vikings.
He also returned a kickoff 27 yards.
“The first one I had bad eyes, that was on me,” Banks said. “The second one, I don’t know what you want to do there. But I’m not a ref.”
Perhaps no one on the roster needed the fresh start that head coach John Harbaugh advertised more than Banks, who fell so far that he didn’t play a single defensive snap in Weeks 13 and 14 last season.
“They gave me a real reset,” Banks said. “I feel like this scheme fits me well. I love [Wilson’s] energy. They want me to be me, be great at what I do — playing man [coverage], being aggressive. Stay consistent.”
Banks did not allow a catch and made two tackles, including one on fullback Max Bredeson on the game’s second play after the Vikings ran to the perimeter in his direction for 18 yards on the first play. Banks’ effort wasn’t lacking as it had been at times in previous years.
“I feel like I’ve always been a confident guy, but I’m just ready to go compete and do what I do,” Banks said. “I’m just trying to keep going and play my best football.”
Banks has been rotating with the starters in camp as the Giants sort through a jumbled cornerback depth chart that is thinned right now by injuries to preseason projected starters Paulson Adebo and Greg Newsome II.
Is this a pivotal point in Banks’ career? He is in a contract walk year after the Giants declined his fifth-year option.
“Yes, for sure,” Banks said. “It’s gotta be.”
Vikings safety Jamal Adams — the former Jets star — suffered a noncontact knee injury and was carted back to the locker room.
It is sure to stir up the MetLife Stadium turf-monster debate.
“Initial exam does not look good,” a “crushed” head coach Kevin O’Connell said. “Don’t want to confirm anything until we see the [MRI exam] on that.”
OLB Brian Burns, WR Malik Nabers, S Jevon Holland, Newsome, Adebo, CB Dru Phillips, LB Tremaine Edmunds, C John Michael Schmitz Jr., LT Andrew Thomas, DT Shelby Harris and DT D.J. Reader are the projected starters who did not play.
WR Braxton Berrios was the No. 1 punt returner (two for 30 yards) and a starting kickoff returner alongside Banks.
Ben Sauls made a PAT and a half-ending 46-yard field goal while Dominic Zvada sat in the kicker competition.
