Kool-Aid McKinstry Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Falcons vs Saints game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Oct 22, 2025
Notches five stops in Week 7 loss
McKinstry recorded five tackles (all solo) and a defensed pass in a loss to the Bears on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
McKinstry played his usual every-down role and logged his highest tackle tally since Week 4. On the season, the second-year cornerback has 29 tackles and five pass defenses, including two interceptions, through seven games.
Oct 6, 2025
Picks off two passes in Week 5
McKinstry recorded two interceptions among his three defensed passes along with four tackles (three solo) Sunday in a 26-14 win over the Giants.
ANALYSIS
McKinstry came up huge for New Orleans to help the team to its first win of the season. Both of his pickoffs came in the fourth quarter -- the first came on a deep pass that McKinstry grabbed as his own five-yard line, and the second (on New York's next drive) took place on a short pass at the Giants' 45-yard line. The interceptions were the first two of McKinstry's NFL career.
Sep 9, 2025
Records seven stops Week 1
McKinstry posted seven tackles (five solo) and a defensed pass in a loss to Arizona on Sunday
ANALYSIS
McKinstry finished tied for third on Arizona with his seven stops, one of which went for a loss. The second-year cornerback broke up six passes as a rookie last season while recording 42 tackles over 15 games. He moved into a starting role late in the second half of the campaign and has held onto that status at the start of 2025, as he played all 66 of New Orleans' defensive snaps Sunday.
Jan 8, 2025
Becomes starter as rookie
In 15 games in 2024, McKinstrey recorded 42 tackles (32 solo) and six pass breakups.
ANALYSIS
Both Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) and Paulson Adebo (upper leg) missed large chunks of the season due to injury, so McKinstrey was forced to step up as a starter for a good portion of 2024, including all of New Orleans' last seven games. He wasn't picked on too often despite his inexperience, but he did surrender some explosive plays. With Lattimore now in Washington and Adebo set to become an unrestricted free agent during the offseason, McKinstrey might have to start preparing to keep that starting spot in 2025.
Dec 19, 2024
Full practice participant Thursday
McKinstry (neck/shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
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.
Dec 15, 2024
Exits with injury Sunday
McKinstry sustained a neck injury and is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Commanders.
ANALYSIS
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.
Nov 17, 2024
Good to go against Cleveland
McKinstry (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game against the Browns.
ANALYSIS
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.
Nov 15, 2024
Questionable vs. Browns
McKinstry (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Cleveland.
ANALYSIS
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.
Nov 14, 2024
Past hamstring injury
McKinstry (hamstring) was listed as a full practice participant Thursday.
ANALYSIS
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.
Nov 13, 2024
Begins week with limited work
McKinstry (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
ANALYSIS
McKinstry had logged five consecutive DNPs before Wednesday's limited session, which suggests he could be nearing a return to the field. The 2024 second-round pick's participation in practice both Thursday and Friday will likely provide the best indication of whether he can play in the Saints' Week 11 matchup against the Browns.
Nov 8, 2024
Missing another week
McKinstry (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Falcons.
ANALYSIS
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.
Nov 6, 2024
Opens week as DNP
McKinstry (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
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.
Nov 6, 2024
Opens week as DNP
McKinstry (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
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.
Nov 1, 2024
Ruled out for Sunday
Head coach Dennis Allen told reporters Friday that McKinstry (hamstring) won't play in Sunday's matchup against the Panthers.
ANALYSIS
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.
Oct 31, 2024
Dealing with hamstring injury
McKinstry (hamstring) did not practice Thursday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
McKinstry got his second start of the season in Week 8 against the Broncos, during which he registered five tackles (four solo) and one pass breakup. The rookie second-round pick is set to see more snaps with the first-team defense following the season-ending injury to Paulson Adebo (lower leg). However, McKinstry has been working through a hamstring injury this week that limited him in practice Wednesday and kept him off the field Thursday. It's a trend in the wrong direction, but he'll have a chance to return to practice Friday, though he'll likely be tagged with an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against Carolina.
Oct 24, 2024
Stepping into larger role
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.
ANALYSIS
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.
Sep 4, 2024
Ready for debut
McKinstry (knee) is not listed on the Saints' injury report Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
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.
Aug 20, 2024
On track to play Week 1
McKinstry (knee) avoided serious injury in Sunday's preseason game against the 49ers, Jordan Schultz of BleacherReport.com reports.
ANALYSIS
McKinstry limped off the field after the Saints' first defensive drive in Sunday's contest before being 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.
Aug 18, 2024
Leaves game with leg injury
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.
ANALYSIS
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.
Jul 24, 2024
Past foot issue
McKinstry (foot) participated in the Saints' first training camp practice Wednesday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
ANALYSIS
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 passes defended 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.
Jun 6, 2024
Getting closer to return
McKinstry (foot) is nearing a return to health, and coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday "there's a chance" he could begin taking on-field reps at mandatory minicamp, Matthew Paras of NOLA.com reports.
ANALYSIS
McKinstry is recovering from surgery undergone to address a Jones fracture in his right foot, an injury discovered at the NFL Scouting Combine. Due to the surgery McKinstry has missed rookie minicamp and OTAs, but it appears he's nearing a return. Allen said "I don't think we'll see him in any team work next week" at mandatory minicamp, but that the rookie second-round pick could be "maybe working in some walkthroughs and individual type stuff."
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