New Orleans Saints rookie DB Kool-Aid McKinstry heads to locker room with injury

New Orleans Saints rookie defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry suffered an apparent injury during the team’s opening series of a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers.

McKinstry was in coverage on a third down when 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was pressured in the pocket.

Purdy released a throw and a receiver in the area panicked and attempted to tackle Kool-Aid McKinstry, who was in the vicinity of the throw. McKinstry slipped the tackle attempt but came up limping, seemingly favoring his hamstring.

He then went into the injury tent on the sideline. He stayed there with trainers for a minute or two before returning to the sideline and attempting to work things out. He did some light exercising on the sideline and rode a stationary bike briefly before heading back into the injury tent.

A short time later, McKinstry headed to the locker room, according to Saints sideline reporter Jeff Nowak.

Kool-Aid McKinstry was drafted by New Orleans in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, taken with the No. 41 overall pick. He’s expected to bolster an already very good secondary, though his potential injury could throw a wrench into that early on.

McKinstry, prior to entering the NFL ranks, starred at Alabama. In three seasons he logged 92 tackles, 5.0 tackles for a loss, 2.0 sacks, two interceptions and 25 passes defended.

For his work as a junior in 2023, McKinstry was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press and The Sporting News.

Prior to enrolling at Alabama, Kool-Aid McKinstry was a five-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class. He was ranked as the No. 17 overall player in the country and the No. 1 cornerback in the class.

McKinstry was also ranked as the No. 1 overall player in the state of Alabama, hailing from Pinson (AL) Pinson Valley.