AP

By now, Brian Banks is used to waiting.

He sat in prison for five years, punished for a crime he didn’t commit. Freed last May after the victim admitted she had falsely accused him, the former USC recruit has been trying patiently but persistently to get a shot at the NFL.

Finally, he’s getting one.

Jay Glazer of FOX, who has worked extensively with Banks to get him into NFL shape, reports that the Atlanta Falcons have signed Banks to a contract.

Banks, a linebacker, received tryouts last year from the Seahawks, Chargers, and Chiefs. Eventually, he joined the UFL — and then the UFL promptly imploded.

The NFL won’t be imploding any time soon. But the road for Banks remains steep.

Teams may have up to 90 players on the roster in the offseason. He’ll now have to earn one of 53 regular-season spots or, failing that, one of eight jobs on the practice squad.

But at least he finally has a chance. We wish him well as he tries to make the most of it.