Sheldon Rankins Injury: Updates on Saints DT's Recovery from Leg Surgery

New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins underwent surgery in August for a broken fibula suffered during practice. He was placed on injured reserve in September, but he has been activated off the IR and is now ready to make his regular-season debut. 

Continue for updates.

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Rankins Active vs. 49ers

Sunday, Nov. 6

The Saints announced that Rankins is available against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 9.

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Payton Comments on Rankins' Potential Return

Thursday, Nov. 3

Saints head coach Sean Payton told reporters that he anticipates Rankins will play Sunday.

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Rankins Expected to Boost Saints Defense

The Saints brought Rankins in as the No. 12 overall pick in the 2016 draft after he tallied 58 total tackles and six sacks in his final season at Louisville. The 6'2" defensive tackle is strong and big enough to plug the middle against the run but also athletic enough to get to the quarterback with burst off the line.

With the addition of Rankins, the Saints were looking to bolster a defense that was an abysmal 31st in total yards allowed and dead last in points given up per game last season. Losing his combination of size and ability to get to the quarterback was a difficult blow for the rebuilding group. Entering Week 9, the Saints are surrendering 30.7 points per game.

Rankins is a future difference-maker for this defense, and it could use him back and healthy as he develops into an impact playmaker at the NFL level.