Saints pick up fifth year option on contract of Sheldon Rankins

Sheldon Rankins is battling back from a torn Achilles but he has been given good news.

The Saints will pick up the defensive tackle’s fifth-year contract option, Ian Rappoport of the NFL Network first reported Wednesday. The move means Rankins is under contract through the 2020 season.

Rankins is expected to miss the first part of the upcoming season because his injury occurred in the New Orleans playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles in January. It is hoped the former first rounder’s recovery time brings him back to the field sometime in 2019. Rankins last season posted career highs in tackles (40) and sacks (8).

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis did not comment on whether the team would pick up the fifth year of Rankins’ deal when asked Monday.