Breaux and Rankins are both returning from broken legs. Rankins has been practicing for a few weeks but was placed on IR at the beginning of the season, so he is only now eligible to return. Payton was non-committal about Rankins’s availability, but if things go well, he should suit up for the Saints’ matchup with the 49ers.
He’ll provide a boost to an improving defensive line. He will likely trade snaps at DT with Nick Fairley on early downs. In passing downs, expect to see the two lined up alongside each other. The Saints have shown an improved pass rush recently, but they’ll need to put together a complete game against Carlos Hyde and a mobile QB like Colin Kaepernick.