While the rest of the New Orleans Saints’ newest players hit the field for the first time together this weekend, cornerback Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry got most of his work off the field.
The former Alabama All-American is working to put a fractured foot behind him.
“Right now, just rehabbing,” McKinstry said. “We’re all on the same page. Trying to get back quick as possible but in a smart way. That’s kind of where we’re at right now.”
Medical examinations at the NFL Scouting Combine found McKinstry had a Jones fracture in his right foot. That didn’t prevent the Saints from selecting the cornerback in the second round of the NFL Draft on April 26.
Despite the injury, McKinstry said he did take the first steps of his NFL career during rookie minicamp.
“The coaches do a good job of explaining everything,” McKinstry said on Saturday. “I done seen a lot of this stuff just by me playing at Alabama, so just kind of using different words and putting them all together to be the same things.
“They been allowing me to go and do walkthroughs. Just walk through and see it all, to move around with the guys. There’s a guy in front of me – going behind him and walking through the plays. I’m still getting mental reps and taking advantage of them.”
McKinstry is joining a position group that has Paulson Adebo and Marshon Lattimore returning. Adebo is a three-year starter for New Orleans, and Lattimore is a four-time Pro Bowler who has played in 17 games over the past two seasons because of injuries. Slot corner Alontae Taylor also returns for the Saints.
“To officially be here, man, it’s a blessing just for all the things I’ve been through,” McKinstry said. “Just from going to high school, me being from Birmingham, me going to Alabama, and to finally accomplish my dream, I’m just very happy and blessed to be here.”
McKinstry was the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Mr. Football and Class 6A Back of the Year while playing for Pinson Valley High School in 2020, when the Indians won their third AHSAA Class 6A championship in four seasons.
At Alabama, McKinstry was a first-team All-American selection for The Associated Press and The Sporting News in 2023.
Twenty-seven tryout players were among the prospects participating at the Saints’ rookie minicamp this weekend. Among the players hoping to land a contract with New Orleans were Purdue defensive tackle Malik Langham (Lee-Huntsville), Georgia long snapper William Mote (Spain Park) and Troy defensive end Richard Jibunor, who started his college career at Auburn.
