New Orleans is wisely handling the Rankins injury, but can the Saints tread water without its first-round pick at defensive tackle?
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New Orleans Saints DT Sheldon Rankins during the Saints eighth day of training camp at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., Friday, August 5, 2016. As Alper points out, Rankins broke his fibula back in August and needed surgery to fix it. Also, teams are only allowed to bring back one player from injured reserve during the season.
The NFL changed the injured reserve rule in March following the league meeting and removed the designation to return.
Unlike previous years, players placed on injured reserve can return that same season.
Teams are allowed to activate one player off of their injured reserve list per season – but that player can not return to practice for at least six weeks and can not play in a game for at least eight weeks.
Beginning this season, the National Football League allows each team one player who can come off IR and return to the field, without having to designate which player on the IR will return. A player can rejoin the active roster if the team activates him after two weeks of practice.
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The team waived defensive tackle Ashaad Mabry and resigned running back Travaris Cadet and defensive end Darryl Tapp.
