The Saints will activate defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins from the PUP list, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). This is encouraging news for the Saints as they look to get their standout defender back on the field following an Achilles tear. 
Just four weeks ago, it was believed that Rankins would begin the season on the PUP list, which would have ruled him out for the first six games of the year. Instead, the door now appears open to Rankins suiting up sooner.
In the short term, the Saints are still a little thin up front. It still seems unlikely that Rankins will play in Week 1 and David Onyemata will also miss the opener against the Texans thanks to his one-game suspension. For now, Mario Edwards Jr. will start at defensive tackle while newcomer Malcom Brown offers support.