The New Orleans Saints are expecting a big boost against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the team expects starting defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins to make his debut, unless he experiences a setback during pregame warmups.
Rankins is just eight months removed from suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon last season, during a playoffs game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The initial expectation was that he wouldn’t be able to return until mid-October, but he’s been diligent in his rehab work and has been given the “green light,” though trainers and team medical staff want one last look at him in warmups before fully clearing him to play.