On the Saints coaches show last night, New Orleans head coach Sean Payton revealed a timetable for the return of injured cornerback Delvin Breaux and first round rookie defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins.

The Saints have been hit with a plethora of injuries this season. A return of Breaux and a regular season debut of Rankins will be two welcome returns, but when exactly will they be back on the field?

"I think we're going to have those guys back before we get to the midpoint of the season," Payton noted on the coaches show Monday night, airing on the New Orleans Saints radio network.

Breaux broke his fibula in week 1 versus the Raiders.

Rankins was placed on IR after breaking his fibula in training camp. He underwent surgery in August.

NFL teams are allowed to bring one player off of IR during the season. The likely plan is to get Rankins back on the practice field in week 6, and eventually play him as early as week 8.

New Orleans (1-3) is coming off a bye week. They return to the field this Sunday when they host the Carolina Panthers (1-4). Kickoff is set for noon.

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