Saints' Rankins, Eagles' Cox, Brooks injured during Sunday's game

Both teams were hit hard with injuries during the first half of Sunday's divisional playoff game in New Orleans, starting with Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and Philadelphia Eagles guard Brandon Brooks getting carted off minutes apart. NFL Network reports Rankins -- who the Saints ruled out before halftime -- is believed to have torn his Achilles, putting him out for several months. A separate NFL Network report states Brooks' season is likely over with a serious lower-leg injury.

Meanwhile, Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox hurt his foot early in the second quarter while trying to stop a Saints fake punt that converted a fourth-and-1. The team deemed him questionable to return, and he came back for the final few plays before halftime. Philadelphia also saw defensive ends Brandon Graham and Michael Bennett and cornerback Rasul Douglas leave during the second quarter, though Graham and Bennett each returned. Douglas was ruled questionable with an ankle injury. Cox was named first-team All-Pro this season, while Brooks was named to his second straight Pro Bowl. Rankins posted a career high with eight sacks in the regular season.

(With inputs from agencies.)