NFL Rumors: Sheldon Rankins' 5th-Year Contract Option Picked Up by Saints

The New Orleans Saints have reportedly picked up defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins' fifth-year option, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Rankins, who was entering the final year of his four-season rookie deal, played an integral part in the Saints' 13-3 season with 40 tackles and eight sacks.

The 25-year-old has been a full-time starter at defensive tackle for New Orleans since the beginning of the 2017 season.

He suffered a torn Achilles during the 2018 divisional round against the Philadelphia Eagles. Per Nick Underhill of the Advocate, he is expected to miss the beginning of the 2019 season.

"It is possible, and possibly likely, that Rankins will start the season on the physically unable to perform list," Underhill wrote March 1.

However, there is good news: Rapoport reported the option money is "guaranteed for injury," which he called "a sure sign they believe one of the best young defensive linemen in the game will make a full recovery."

Herbie Teope of NFL.com provided some positive updates Wednesday, noting he's been informed that "Rankins is now out of the boot and doing well."

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis told reporters Monday the team is "pleased with [Rankins'] progress.

The Saints need Rankins back to fortify a stout defense that ranked 11th in DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average), per Football Outsiders. Pro Football Focus also listed Rankins 22nd among all interior defensive linemen in the league last year with a solid 81.6 grade out of 100.

Michael Detillier of WWL Radio called Rankins "a core defensive fixture for the Saints in the future once he has recovered from the injury."

If Rankins ends up on the PUP list to start the year, he will have to miss the first six weeks of regular-season action, making him eligible to return Oct. 20 at the Chicago Bears.