The New Orleans Saints' top draft choice from 2016, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, may not recover from an Achilles tendon tear before the 2019 season starts, a source tells The New Orleans Advocate.
Rankins suffered the injury during the playoffs in January, and while the newspaper reports his recovery is going well, he's not expected to be in playing shape when the season begins. He could be put on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
In the regular season, Rankins amassed 40 combined tackles with eight sacks. His injury occurred early enough in the NFC Divisional playoff game versus Philadelphia that he didn't record any tackles in the game.
The Saints drafted Rankins in 2015 out of Louisville in the first round with the twelfth overall pick.




