Saints 1st-round pick Rankins carted off practice field

New Orleans Saints first-round pick Sheldon Rankins was carted off the practice field Monday after suffering an apparent injury in team drills, according to multiple beat writers in attendance.

Rankins reportedly had the training staff looking at his lower left leg after going down during goal-line drills.

An official update on his status will likely be expected when coaches are available to the media following practice.

Rankins, selected No. 12 overall, had been expected to play a significant role in upgrading what had previously been a problematic interior defensive front.

The former Louisville standout being forced to the sidelines for any sort of extended stretch to start the season would be a massive blow to a Saints defense, desperately looking to improve upon its 31st-ranked showing last year.