Advocate: Sources say Saints’ DT Sheldon Rankins likely to need surgery

Saints' top pick Sheldon Rankins is believed to have suffered a fractured fibula during a goal-line drill during Monday's practice, according to a source.

Rankins will seek multiple opinions and undergo more testing, but will likely need surgery to fix the injury. The hope is that he will return to action in six weeks.

Drafted with the No. 12 pick out of Louisville, Rankins has shown plenty of promise in camp so far, displaying impressive quickness and burst as a pass rusher.

New Orleans is about to break camp at the Greenbrier and head to Houston for joint practices with the Texans.

Linebacker Stephone Anthony, defensive tackle John Jenkins, tight end Michael Hoomanawanui, fullback Austin Johnson, long snapper Justin Drescher and safety Jamal Golden are not present at Monday's practice.

Cornerbacks Keenan Lewis and Damian Swann, tight end Garrett Griffin, linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, nose tackle Tyeler Davison and offensive lineman Avery Young are all present at practice, but not participating.

This story was originally published August 15, 2016 at 12:37 PM with the headline "Advocate: Sources say Saints’ DT Sheldon Rankins likely to need surgery."