Dallas Cowboys hosting ex-Falcons defensive end Takk McKinley

The Dallas Cowboys are considering bolstering their defense and decided to kick the tires on former Falcons’ defensive end Takk McKinley this weekend. Per Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News, the franchise hosted McKinley on a visit on Saturday, July 30.

He was a former first-round selection (No. 26 pick overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft. While he racked up 13 sacks during his first two years with the Falcons, the former UCLA star has dealt with a number of brutal injuries that have slowed his career since. He suffered a shoulder injury in week 15 of the 2018 season when he was playing for the Falcons. Recently, in December of 2021, he suffered a torn Achilles when he was playing for the Cleveland Browns. It’s a really tough injury to come back from and many players have had their NFL careers ended over it.

According to Gehlken, McKinley’s itinerary with the Cowboys on Saturday included a physical and meeting with coaches, with no workout included. Gehlken also noted on late Saturday evening via Twitter, that following a positive visit, Dallas would not be signing the ex-Falcons defensive end, according to two people familiar with the situation. That was part of the original plan for the Cowboys’ franchise. He intended to take multiple visits and next, he’ll visit with the Arizona Cardinals.

It’ll be interesting to see how his recovery from his Achilles injury goes and if he can return to his once very promising form as a pass rusher. Thus far in his NFL career, he’s racked up 97 tackles, 20 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

Growing up, McKinley was raised by his grandmother, and he grew up in the Richmond neighborhood of the San Francisco Bay area. When he was drafted by the Falcons in the 2017 NFL Draft, he had one of the more famous entrances to the stage in recent memory, when he held up a picture of his late grandmother.

He made a promise to his grandmother that he’d make it to Division I-A football right before she passed away in 2011. Life was never easy for him growing up and he often slept on the floor. So much so, that when he had a visit to the Cal Golden Bears, McKinley overslept on his recruiting visit because he hadn’t slept on a bed in months, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

His story is quite fascinating and worth the read.

During his final two seasons of high school for the John F. Kennedy Eagles (Richmond, California), the gifted defensive end racked up 26 sacks–showcasing his dominant ability as one of the nation’s elite pass rushers.

McKinley originally committed to the California Golden Bears but ran into academic issues and was ruled as a non-qualifier. Then, he suited up one year for Contra Costa College in 2013, racking up 33 tackles and 10 sacks, once again displaying his elite pedigree in getting after the quarterback.

In September of 2014, he transferred to the UCLA Bruins, finishing his sophomore season with 2.5 sacks. As a junior during the 2015 season, he tallied 35 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 13 games of action. Then, his senior year, he enjoyed a breakout season, racking up 10 sacks and earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors.