Report: Kool-Aid McKinstry to have foot surgery 'at some point down the road' to fix Jones fracture

Alabama Pro Day is the first opportunity Kool-Aid McKinstry has had to work out in front of NFL scouts. McKinstry did not participate in the NFL Combine due to a Jones fracture in his foot. He was there to interview with teams but was not available for on-field drills.

However, the injury has not completely healed and more rehab is in McKinstry’s future. Cole Cubelic of the SEC Network, who was on-site in Tuscaloosa, reported that McKinstry will have surgery on his foot at some point. It’s something the cornerback has apparently been dealing with for quite some time but fought through the pain in order to play.

“He said the plan is to have surgery at some point down the road,” Cubelic said via SEC Network. “But he does want to run today. Said he went a couple of months in spring on this injury, didn’t know about it. Kept playing through it. That’s one of the things, I think, should be pointed out with Kool-Aid McKinstry, his toughness…

“Talking to staff members here, this man never missed a practice, never missed a weight room session. So, that’s another part of his game, personality that should be taken into account.”

Tom Pelissero was later able to report an exact date for McKinstry’s surgery, saying it will take place on Friday. He should recover and be good to go for the beginning of rookie camp for whoever drafts him.

Heading into the 2023 season, McKinstry was viewed as a first-round pick and had the chance to be the first cornerback taken off the board. However, ESPN’s Mel Kiper did not have a team selecting McKinstry in his latest mock draft. At least five CBs were taken ahead of him.

McKinstry has an opportunity to impress at the Pro Day, giving NFL teams some testing numbers to work with. Everyone in Tuscaloosa will be hoping his draft stack trends back up following his performance.

More on the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.

Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.

The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.

Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.