As expected, the New Orleans Saints have activated rookie defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins. The NFL transaction wire confirmed the move on Saturday afternoon, as the team waived offensive lineman Khalif Barnes. Rumors swirled earlier today that the move was happening by The Advocate’s Nick Underhill.
It’s been a long time coming for Rankins, who went down with a broken fibula on Aug. 15 during training camp. It was originally thought that Rankins could make an early season return, but the team elected to place him on injured reserve prior to the start of the regular season.