98 Sheldon Rankins DT

Rankins (ankle) is expected to be healthy for the start of training camp, Nick Underhill of New Orleans.Football reports.

The 26-year-old was limited to begin the season after suffering a ruptured Achilles, and he eventually underwent preemptive surgery on the other leg to help prevent further issues with that Achilles. Rankins appeared in 10 games in 2019 and had 10 tackles and two sacks, and his return to full healthy for 2020 would be a significant boost for the defensive line.

The Saints placed Rankins (ankle) on injured reserve Wednesday, Field Yates of ESPN.com reports.

Rankins' upcoming absence leaves the Saints quite thin along the defensive line, with Marcus Davenport also heading to IR due to a foot injury sustained during the 48-46 loss to the 49ers over the weekend. The defensive tackle will finish the 2019 campaign with just 10 stops and two sacks in 10 games, but he made more of an impact than the numbers would indicate. The Saints have since signed another defensive tackle T.Y. McGill in an attempt to add depth at the position.

Rankins (ankle) is in danger of missing the rest of the season, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Rankins was forced out of Sunday's 48-46 loss to the 49ers with a right ankle injury, and he's now weighing his options to figure out if he'll be able to play again in 2019. With defensive end Marcus Davenport expected to require season-ending foot surgery, the Saints suddenly appear thin along the defensive line, an area that's been a strength for them for most of the season. The only good news is that Rankins' injury isn't to the same leg in which he suffered a torn Achilles in January. The 2016 first-round pick has 16 sacks in 51 regular-season games, including two in 10 appearances during the current campaign.

Rankins (ankle) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the 49ers.

It's unclear how Rankins picked up the injury, but he was forced to exit the game late in the third quarter. As long as the 2016 first-round pick is sidelined, look for David Onyemata and Shy Tuttle to be in line to receive an uptick in snaps.

Rankins recorded three tackles (all solo), including a sack and a tackle for a loss, in the Saints' 26-18 win over the Falcons on Thursday.

Rankins recorded his first sack since Week 5, as he took Matt Ryan down in the division-clinching victory. The lack of sacks is concerning, but so is the fact that he hasn't recorded a tackle since Week 8. Rankins' performance this season is a far cry from his 40-tackle, eight-sack campaign from just a year ago.

Rankins finished with three tackles (three solo), one sack and one tackle for a loss in the Saints' 31-24 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Appearing in just his second game of the season after recovering from a torn Achilles, Rankins made a notable impact. It's likely his role grows with each passing week, making him worth a pickup where available.

Rankins (Achilles) is active for Sunday's contest against the Cowboys.

Rankins will be making his first appearance since tearing his left Achilles in the divisional-round of the 2018 playoffs. Considering he's a little more than eight months removed from the injury, it's unlikely that he'll play a full allotment of snaps.

Barring a setback in warmups, Rankins (Achilles) is expected to play in Sunday night's game against Dallas, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

A return in Week 5 of 6 seemed to be more likely heading into this game, but, as evidenced by this news, Rankins has made significant strides to make a return to the field earlier. As always, check the game inactives before kickoff to officially confirm the 2016 first-round pick's status, but his return would be a real boost to the Saints defensive front.

Rankins (Achilles) is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Cowboys, Rod Walker of The New Orleans Advocate reports.

It still seems like a bit of a long shot for Rankins to suit up this weekend, as the defensive tackle has said that a return for Week 5 or 6 is much more likely. However, the questionable tag at least leaves the door open for Rankins, and he will likely end up being a game-time decision Sunday.

Rankins (Achilles) said Monday that he has a shot to play in Week 4 against the Cowboys, but a Week 5 or 6 return is more likely, Nick Underhill of The Athletic reports.

Rankins has yet to suit up in 2019 due to the injury, but as evidenced by this news, has a great shot to return in the coming weeks. The 25-year-old has been logging limited practice the past week, and if he can improve to a full participant, it would really help his chances for a debut this season. In the meantime, David Onyemata has been starting at defensive tackle in his place and should continue to do so until Rankins returns.

Rankins (Achilles) is ruled out for Sunday's game versus the Seahawks, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Rankins will put his season debut on hold for a third straight week despite being able to practice in a limited fashion this week. The Saints are likely itching to have Rankins back after he posted 40 tackles and eight sacks last year. David Onyemata will start at defensive tackle in his place.

Rankins (Achilles) was officially listed as a limited participant for Wednesday's practice, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Rankins was forced to miss the first two games of the season while dealing with the injury, so it's good news that he's logging some practice time. He'll likely have to log a full practice session in order to suit up for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, and if he sits again, it will likely be Mario Edwards and David Onyemate rotating at defensive tackle again.

Rankins (Achilles) will sit out Sunday's game versus the Rams, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

The Saints allowed Houston's backfield to average 7.4 YPC in Week 1 without Rankins, Mario Edwards (hamstring) and David Onyemate (suspension) in the lineup Week 1. Rankins is the projected starter so it will still hurt having him out, but Edwards and Onyemata will return to rotate in at defensive tackle for the grudge match.

Rankins (Achilles) was listed as a limited participant for Wednesday's practice, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Rankins was forced to miss the season opener Monday due to the injury and seems still to be managing an injury suffered in January. At this point in the week, he's firmly considered questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, but if he doesn't suit up, Taylor Stallworth should continue to start at defensive tackle.

Rankins (Achilles) will sit out Monday's game versus the Raiders, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Rankins will miss the first game since his rookie campaign in 2016. The 25-year-old had an excellent season last year, posting 40 tackles and eight sacks. The Saints defensive line will be limited on depth since Mario Edwards (hamstring) is also sitting out, so expect Taylor Stallworth to start at defensive tackle Monday.

Rankins (Achilles) practiced in a limited fashion Friday, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Rankins was limited Thursday as well. The 25-year-old is working his way back from an Achilles injury suffered in January. For now, Rankins' status for Monday's season opener against Houston is obviously questionable at best.

Rankins (Achilles) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice due to a hamstring injury, Luke Johnson of USA Today reports.

Rankins is working his way back from an Achilles injury suffered January, and he also appears to now be battling a hamstring issue. The Saints could opt to take a cautious approach to his recovery, so it remains to be seen whether Rankins will manage to suit up Week 1 against the Texans.

Rankins (Achilles) isn't expected to be cleared for game action until at least Week 4, Nick Underhill of The Athletic reports.

Rankins was activated off the PUP list Monday so he could ramp up his practice work, but he still has significant work to do in his recovery from the Achilles injury he suffered in January. The Saints could be hurting for depth at defensive tackle for the start of the season with David Onyemata suspended for Week 1.

Rankins (Achilles) passed his physical Monday and was activated from the PUP list, freelance NFL writer Howard Balzer reports.

Rankins participated in Monday's practice after coming off the PUP list. While the Saints players took the field without pads, it nonetheless a notable step in the right direction. The 25-year-old defensive tackle is working his way back from an Achilles tear suffered Jan. 13 and projects to start along New Orleans' defensive line when back to full health.

Rankins (Achilles) is expected to be activated from the PUP list, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports

Rankins was originally placed on the PUP list July 23 after tearing his Achilles on Jan. 13. When healthy, the 25-year-old is expected to shoulder a starting role in New Orleans' defensive front. Rankins started in each regular-season game for the Saints over the last two seasons, logging 1,253 defensive snaps.