Earlier reports have been optimistic on the status of New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, last year’s starter who was cut down in the playoffs with an Achilles injury. But the most-positive update yet comes from Albert Breer of SI.com, who spent time covering Saints training camp earlier this week.
Breer reports that the hope is New Orleans can insert Rankins into the lineup during the first month of the season, which begins September 9. Rankins was one of the Saints’ top pass rushers a year ago, ranking second-best in both sacks (8) and quarterback hits (15). His presence will be missed, even if the Saints are happy with what they’re seeing out of David Onyemata and Mario Edwards Jr.
While Saints head coach Sean Payton admitted earlier in training camp that it’s impossible to nail down a date for Rankins’ return, he did add that the defensive lineman’s recovery is ahead of schedule. Any scenario where the Saints can avoid placing Rankins on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to start the season, making him unavailable for at least the first six weeks, is a big victory for both Rankins and the Saints.
