New Orleans Saints rookie defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry suffered an apparent injury during his team’s opening series of a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers.
McKinstry was in coverage on a third down when the 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was put under pressure in the pocket.
Purdy let go of a throw and a nearby receiver panicked and tried to tackle Kool-Aid McKinstry, who was near the throw. McKinstry dodged the tackle attempt but limped back up, appearing to be resting his hamstring.
He then went to the injury tent on the sideline. He stayed there with the trainers for a minute or two before returning to the sideline and trying to sort things out. He did some light exercises on the sideline and rode a stationary bike briefly before returning to the injury tent.
A short time later, McKinstry went into the locker room, according to the Saints sideline reporter Jeff Nowak.
Kool-Aid McKinstry was selected by New Orleans in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the number 41 pick. He is expected to strengthen an already very good secondary, although his possible injury could put a damper on that early on.
Before joining the NFL, McKinstry played for AlabamaIn three seasons, he recorded 92 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two interceptions and 25 passes defensed.
For his performance as a junior in 2023, McKinstry was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press and The Sporting News.
Before enrolling at Alabama, Kool-Aid McKinstry was a five-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class. He was ranked as the No. 17 player in the country and the No. 1 cornerback of the class.
McKinstry, a native of Pinson (AL) Pinson Valley, was also ranked as the best player in the state of Alabama.
