The New Orleans Saints received an injury scare involving cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry in Thursday's practice. The initial indication, though, was that it wasn't anything serious. Head coach Kellen Moore said McKinstry had rolled his ankle and that the team was simply being cautious with him.
“I think he just kind of rolled his ankle a little bit,” head coach Kellen Moore said. “So just precautionary, nothing big.”
McKinstry's status was something to monitor entering Friday's practice. Early reports suggested that he wasn't participating. Moore confirmed that, saying that he was being held out for precautionary reasons once again.
"It's just a little tenderness," McKinstry told the media on Friday. "I don't feel like it's anything to be concerned
about at all. I'm just listening to the training staff and calming it down a little bit."
The Saints don't appear to have any long-term concerns about McKinstry. Holding him out of team drills gives his ankle additional time to settle down. Training camp is still in its early stages — there's little reason for New Orleans to push one of its most important defensive backs through an injury. The 23-year-old CB had a breakout second year in the NFL last season. He recorded 17 pass deflections and three interceptions in 17 starts. There is an expectation within the building and around the team that he'll take another step up in 2026.
“Kool-Aid McKinstry is a baller," veteran safety Justin Reid said earlier this week. "That cat is gonna be something special.”
McKinstry is expected to remain one of the key pieces of a Saints secondary with plenty of upside and versatility. For now, the ankle injury appears to be nothing more than a minor issue.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints downplay Kool-Aid McKinstry ankle injury at training camp
