The sigh of relief that just took place at the New Orleans Saints’ facility in Metairie, La., can be heard all through the Gulf Coast. Per NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, rookie cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry has avoided a major knee injury during Sunday’s preseason matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.
The second-round selection appeared for just five snaps against the 49ers before exiting the game. He made a great adjustment after reading quarterback Brock Purdy perfectly and as he went to make a play on the football in coverage, a 49ers receiver rolled up on the back of McKinstry’s leg. He would soon come up limping from the sideline and went to the Saints’ medical tent.
After testing things out near the bench, the cornerback would eventually go back to the locker room and not return. Head coach Dennis Allen updated after the game that he believed McKinstry indeed avoided major injury at that time.
Receiving this confirmation after further imaging and tests further solidifies good news for the team and the young defender. Per Schultz’s report, McKinstry is expected to be available Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers. Though his role there may be limited anyway, assuming starting cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo are also healthy and ready to go by then. So McKinstry should not have to bear a cape and be a hero upon his return.
This news is great for New Orleans, regardless what amount of action he sees to open the season. The team loves having four starting-caliber cornerbacks on its roster. McKinstry will be a major player in their depth as teams rarely get to field all three of their starting cornerbacks for all 17 games.
At some point, McKinstry will likely see starting action and it looks like he will be healthy and ready to go when his name is called.
