METAIRIE, La. -- Reinforcements are on the way for the New Orleans Saints defense.First-round draft choice Sheldon Rankins is expected to make his NFL debut Sunday at the San Francisco 49ers after the defensive tackle began the season on injured reserve with a broken fibula suffered in training camp.Hes gettin around good. And we anticipate this is the week for him, Saints coach Sean Payton said of the defensive tackle from Louisville, whom the Saints selected with the No. 12 pick in the draft.This is the first week Rankins is eligible to play under the NFLs rule for players coming off of injured reserve. He began practicing the first day he was eligible two weeks ago.The Saints injury-riddled defense is also likely to get top cornerback Delvin Breaux back Sunday from his own broken fibula, which he suffered in Week 1. Breaux declared himself 115 percent healthy on Wednesday after participating in team drills for the first time -- though he stressed that it remains a coaches decision.Both developments are huge for a defense that got off to an abysmal start this season before showing recent signs of growth. After an 0-3 start, the Saints are now 3-4. And after two solid defensive performances in a row, they now rank 28th in yards allowed per game (397.4) and 31st in points allowed per game (30.7). Only the 49ers are worse.Rankins will probably be on some sort of pitch count in his NFL debut -- especially at a defensive tackle position where the Saints do a lot of rotating in general. The good news is that veteran Nick Fairley has been a strong addition for New Orleans at the same three-technique tackle position, with 3.5 sacks. The two of them might even play side-by-side in pass-rushing situations.Rankins (6-foot-2, 305 pounds) was a versatile and disruptive presence at Louisville, with 14 sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss over his final two seasons. He showed signs of promise in the summer -- highlighted by an interception against Tom Brady during joint practices with the New England Patriots. Jerome Robinson Clippers Jersey . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. Blake Griffin Clippers Jersey . The defending champion beat Gael Monfils of France 7-6 (6), 6-3, while second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin, also of France, 6-3, 6-3. Making his first appearance since injuring his wrist a month ago, Del Potro had difficulty with his service games in the first set. https://www.clipperslockerroom.com/Patrick-Beverley-City-Edition-Jersey/ . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Rodney McGruder Jersey . Halifax beat the Saint John Sea Dogs 7-5 on the strength of two goals apiece from Nikolaj Ehlers, Matt Murphy and Brent Andrews. Jonathan Drouin also scored and had three assists while Zachary Fucale made 17 saves for the Mooseheads (16-8-0), who led 6-1 after two periods. Tobias Harris Clippers Jersey . LOUIS -- Mike Smith is used to facing plenty of shots, so this was nothing new. CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Jessica Thomas scored 21 points, Keyona Hayes had 18 and No. 18 Miami defeated Old Dominion 66-56 on Sunday for its seventh consecutive win.The Hurricanes (7-1) led 43-40 entering the fourth quarter after trailing 25-23 at the half. Thomas opened the final period with a 3-pointer, added another after a Monarch basket and Hayes had a 3-point play to make it 52-42 with7:24 to play.A steal and layup by Erykah Davenport pushed the margin to 15 midway through the quarteer and Thomas made four free throws in the final minute after the lead was cut to single digits.ddddddddddddMiami made 7 of 12 shots and 6 of 9 from the foul line in the fourth quarter. The Hurricanes finished 18 of 25 from the line while Old Dominion was 10 of 19.Jennie Simms had 24 points and Destinee Young had 12 points and 13 boards for the Monarchs (3-3). ' ' '