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It’s probably the worst kind of news for the New Orleans Saints and their fans. 1st Round pick Sheldon Rankins was carted off the field after suffering a lower-leg injury during team’ goal line drills on Monday.
Rookie defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins went down on goal line drills and was carted off the field @wdsu
— Sharief Ishaq (@ShariefIshaq) August 15, 2016
Rankins went down during goal line period, being helped off the field on a cart.
— Lyons Yellin WWL-TV (@LyonsYellin) August 15, 2016
It doesn’t look too good, and you aren’t going to get much of an update from head coach Sean Payton. The rookie defensive tackle out of Louisville was a projected starter for Dennis Allen’s defense, but it looks like veteran Nick Fairley will be stepping in from now on.
This is a huge blow to the Saints if Rankins is out for any extended amount of time.
UPDATE (11:35AM): According to multiple reports, Rankins suffered a fractured fibula. There will be a second opinion, but the injury is not feared to be season-ending. The early time table we have been given is 6 weeks, assuming there is no other damage and there is a successful surgery.