Saints' Kool-Aid McKinstry: Full practice participant Thursday
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McKinstry (neck/shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
McKinstry was knocked out of the Saints' Week 15 loss to the Commanders due to a neck injury, and he finished the game with six tackles (four solo). It doesn't appear to be a lasting issue, as he was able to practice without limitations in New Orleans' first official session of the week Thursday. Barring any setbacks, McKinstry should be able to suit up against Green Bay on Monday. The rookie second-round pick has logged 33 tackles (26 solo) and five pass defenses across 12 regular-season games.
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Saints' Kool-Aid McKinstry: Exits with injury Sunday
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McKinstry sustained a neck injury and is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Commanders.
McKinstry logged six tackles before exiting late in the second half Sunday. The rookie second-round pick has moved up into a starting role since cornerback Marshon Lattimore was sent to the Commanders at the trade deadline. With McKinstry sidelined, expect Shemar Jean-Charles to step up apposite starting cornerback Alontae Taylor.
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Saints' Kool-Aid McKinstry: Good to go against Cleveland
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McKinstry (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game against the Browns.
McKinstry finished the week strong with back-to-back full practices, and he will return Sunday from a two-game absence due to a hamstring injury. The rookie second-round pick should see a significant uptick in defensive snaps after Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) was traded to the Commanders at the trade deadline Nov. 5.
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Saints' Kool-Aid McKinstry: Questionable vs. Browns
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McKinstry (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Cleveland.
Despite logging consecutive full practices to end the week, McKinstry will still draw the questionable tag after missing the Saints' last two games due to a hamstring injury. If McKinstry is able to return Sunday, he would reclaim his starting spot at corner alongside Alontae Taylor; otherwise, Shemar Jean-Charles would draw the start for a third straight game.
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Saints' Kool-Aid McKinstry: Past hamstring injury
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McKinstry (hamstring) was listed as a full practice participant Thursday.
McKinstry returned to practice Wednesday after missing the Saints' last two games due to a hamstring injury. He appears to be on track to play Sunday against the Browns, however, after he was able to practice Thursday without limitations. In the eight games prior to his injury, McKinstry logged 18 tackles (14 solo) and three pass defenses.
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Saints' Kool-Aid McKinstry: Missing another week
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McKinstry (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Falcons.
The rookie corner from Alabama was unable to practice all week after missing the Saints' Week 9 loss to the Panthers due to a hamstring injury, so it's no surprise he won't suit up in Week 10. Shemar Jean-Charles is expected to start opposite Rico Payton (back) as part of the Saints' top outside cornerback duo in McKinstry's stead.
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Saints' Kool-Aid McKinstry: Opens week as DNP
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McKinstry (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday.
McKinstry was sidelined for the Saints' Week 9 loss to the Panthers after likely aggravating his hamstring injury in practice, and Wednesday's DNP suggests he could be in jeopardy of missing more time. The 2024 second-round pick likely needs to upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday in order to play in Week 10, when the Saints host the Falcons.
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Saints' Kool-Aid McKinstry: Opens week as DNP
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McKinstry (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday.
McKinstry was sidelined for the Saints' Week 9 loss to the Panthers after likely worsening his hamstring injury in practice, and Wednesday's DNP suggests he could be in jeopardy of missing more time. The 2024 second-round pick likely needs to upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday in order to play in Week 10, when the Saints host the Falcons.
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Saints' Kool-Aid McKinstry: Ruled out for Sunday
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Head coach Dennis Allens said Friday that McKinstry (hamstring) won't play in Sunday's game against the Panthers.
McKinstry appears to have worsened his hamstring issue in practice this week, as he recorded a limited session Wednesday then downgraded to DNPs both Thursday and Friday. With each of the Saints' top two outside cornerbacks, McKinstry and Marshon Lattimore (hamstring), sidelined in Week 9, Rico Payton (back) and Ugo Amadi could see increased work with New Orleans' first-team defense.
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Saints' Kool-Aid McKinstry: Stepping into larger role
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McKinstry is slated to handle an expanded role on defense beginning Sunday versus the Chargers, with Paulson Adebo (lower leg) having been placed on IR due to a season-ending broken femur, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
McKinstry, a rookie first-round pick, played 47 and 86 percent of defensive snaps Weeks 1 and 2, but he then transitioned into a depth role on defense until Adebo's injury Week 7. After Adebo went down versus Denver, McKinstry played 30 defensive snaps, his second-highest total of the season. He projects to join Marshon Lattimore as a starter on the perimeter on the road versus Los Angeles on Sunday.
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Saints' Kool-Aid McKinstry: Ready for debut
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McKinstry (knee) is not listed on the Saints' injury report Wednesday.
McKinstry left New Orleans' second preseason game early with the injury, but it wasn't believed to be anything that would keep the rookie sidelined for an extended period. His absence from the team's initial injury report confirms that belief and he should be on the field Sunday against the Panthers. Although he's expected to play in a reserve role with Marshon Lattimore (hip) questionable for the game, the Alabama product could find himself on the field often Week 1.
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Saints' Kool-Aid McKinstry: On track to play Week 1
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McKinstry (knee) avoided serious injury in Sunday's preseason game against the 49ers, Jordan Schultz of BleacherReport.com reports.
McKinstry limped off the field after the Saints' first defensive drive in Sunday's contest and was taken back to the locker room. Further evaluation didn't reveal any significant issues, and the rookie second-round pick is expected to suit up for New Orleans' regular-season opener against Carolina on Sept. 8.
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Saints' Kool-Aid McKinstry: Leaves game with leg injury
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McKinstry left Sunday's preseason game against the 49ers due to a right leg injury and is questionable to return, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
McKinstry came off the field limping after the Saints' first defensive drive, and he went back to the locker room after being checked out by trainers in the medical tent. He did not record a tackle before leaving Sunday's contest. Coach Dennis Allen clarified after the game that the injury was to McKinstry's knee, per John Hendrix of Sports Illustrated.
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Saints' Kool-Aid McKinstry: Past foot issue
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McKinstry (foot) participated in the Saints' first training camp practice Wednesday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
The 2024 second-round pick out of Alabama has been nursing a foot injury for a couple of months now, but it appears that he's moved past the issue. McKinstry recorded 23 defensed passes across his three years at Alabama, and since he's fully healthy again, the rookie is expected to step in and serve as a rotational cornerback immediately in New Orleans.
