Saints Defense Takes Another Big Injury Hit

It just keeps going from bad to worse for the New Orleans Saints. Following a painful loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday (with a little help from the officials yet again), the team is now reporting that two of their starting defensive linemen may be out for the rest of the season.

Former first-rounder Sheldon Rankins left Sunday's contest with an ankle injury that the team has deemed significant enough to be potentially season-ending. This in conjunction with defensive end Marcus Davenport's lisfranc injury (also suffered against the Niners) could spell doom for the team's Super Bowl hopes.

Another hit to the #Saints defensive front: DT Sheldon Rankins, who left Sunday early, has an ankle injury deemed significant, sources say. At this point, it doesn’t sound like he’ll be able to return this season. Combined with Marcus Davenport’s Lisfranc injury, rough few days.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2019

With severe injuries to two of the team's best pass-rushing talents, former Buccaneers DE Noah Spence has been signed.

#Saints are signing DE Noah Spence today, source says. With Marcus Davenport out for the season (as @TomPelissero and @RapSheet reported) the former #Buccaneers second-rounder is in.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 11, 2019

Spence's career has been disappointing thus far, as he was seen as a potential Pro Bowl level talent coming out of Ohio State in 2016. Spence was cut by Tampa just seven games into the season after tallying just one sack on the year (and zero last season, despite playing 12 games).

On the year, Rankins and Davenport have combined for eight sacks (six from Davenport), so it's clear their production will be difficult to replicate. With a matchup against the Colts looming on Monday night, Spence will get an additional day to familiarize himself with his new surroundings.