New Orleans Saints rookie Sheldon Rankins carted off field
New Orleans Saints rookie defensive tackle and first round pick Sheldon Rankins was carted off the field at practice on Monday morning…
The worst part of an NFL training camp is the reality that injuries happen, and no player (except for quarterbacks and kicking specialists) is immune.
On Monday morning, the New Orleans Saints and their fans are collectively holding their breath as first round pick and one of the top defensive players of the entire draft — Louisville defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins — was carted off the field with an injury.
Ominous news: #Saints first-round draft pick Sheldon Rankins went down with an injury during goal-line drills & had to be carted off (1/2)
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) August 15, 2016
This is a huge blow for New Orleans, which was looking to Rankins to provide an anchor for their new-look defense, featuring a strong rookie class from 2015 with the likes of inside linebacker Stephone Anthony, defensive lineman Tyeler Davison, cornerback P.J. Williams, cornerback Delvin Breaux, and pass rusher Hau’oli Kikaha.
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The Saints spent three additional picks on the defensive side of the ball in 2016, including Rankins and former Ohio State safety Vonn Bell in the first two rounds.
There are high hopes for a quick resurgence in New Orleans, and the defense is going to be the most critical aspect of that. Rankins is a player with elite quickness and burst off the line, and we’re hoping for this injury to turn out to be a minor scare.
According to eye-witness reports, the injury came during goal-line drills so there are a number of possible injuries he could have sustained. Hopefully it turns out to be just a scare.
The Saints are getting ready for some joint practices with the Houston Texans.