The New Orleans Saints are going to be without star defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins for the long haul. Rankins was carted off the field in the first quarter of Sunday’s playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The injury itself didn’t look too bad. Rankins stood there after being rolled up on before going to the turf in pain. Something happened. We just didn’t know what.
But before even the first half had come to a conclusion, reports surfaced that Rankins suffered a torn Achilles.
#Saints DT Sheldon Rankins suffered what’s believed to be a torn Achilles’ tendon, source says. Rough one.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 13, 2019
A first-round pick of the Saints back in 2016, Rankins was in the midst of a career year. He compiled 15 quarterback hits, 12 tackles for loss and eight sacks during the regular season.
This is a massive blow for a Saints defense that headed into Sunday’s game ranked No. 2 in the NFL stopping the run.