Sheldon Rankins Injury: Updates on Saints DT's Leg and Return

New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins suffered a broken fibula during an Aug. 15 practice. He underwent surgery on Aug. 16 and was placed on injured reserve. He will be able to return, but it is uncertain when he will do so.

Continue for updates.

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Rankins Placed on IR

Monday, Sept. 5

Mike Triplett of ESPN reported the roster move for Rankins, noting he can't practice for at least six weeks and can't play for at least eight.

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Payton Comments on Rankins' Timeline for Return

Wednesday, Aug. 17

"It clearly is not gonna be season-ending at all," Saints head coach Sean Payton said, per Triplett. 

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Aug. 15 that Rankins is "likely" to be sidelined "about six weeks," citing a source. Schefter also spoke to another source who quoted a six-to-eight-week timeline for his return.

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Rankins Injury Hampers Plans to Bolster Saints DL

Looking to shore up their leaky front seven, the Saints selected Rankins with the No. 12 overall pick in April. The Louisville product was seen as one of the safest prospects in the 2016 class, a can't-miss combination of size and burst off the line.

"When I got to college, I looked at the guys who were doing things right," Rankins said in May, per Christopher Dabe of NOLA.com. "I fell in line behind them, and eventually took over a leadership role. Coming here, I'm going to do the same thing, following behind Nick Fairley, John Jenkins, Cam Jordan—guys like that, and eventually it will be my turn to lead."

The Saints were in desperate need of a defensive talent infusion after their record-setting putridity over the last two seasons. In 2015, they set a record for the most passing touchdowns ever allowed in a season (45). Opposing quarterbacks posted a 116.2 rating against New Orleans.

While the Saints defense was not expected to be good, Rankins' presence was vital for them to make any sort of improvement.