Alabama DB Not Testing After Injury Found at Combine
NFL teams will have to wait a little longer to see the elite cornerback from Alabama test ahead of April's NFL draft.
During medical testing on Thursday before on-field drills on Friday, Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry was discovered to have a Jones fracture in his right foot. McKinstry will not test at the NFL Combine but has been going through interviews.
McKinstry will work out at Alabama's pro-day on March 20, then will have surgery to fix the injury. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, McKinstry will be healthy by NFL training camp.
His draft stock was already falling, with some mock drafts projecting the All-American to be drafted in the late first round. Teams such as the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers, who have shown interest in McKinstry, could take advantage of the injury. If he continues to fall in the rankings, they may not have to trade up for a shutdown cornerback.
Alabama teammate Terrion Arnold had high praise for McKinstry during his media availability on Thursday, comparing him to NFL Pro Bowler and former Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II.
During his time at Alabama, McKinstry made an immediate impact. He started as a true freshman in Alabama's secondary. He was All-SEC as a freshman in 2021, and a two-time All-American at Alabama. McKinstry had 93 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, two picks, and 23 passes defended while at the Capstone. He led the SEC in pass breakups in 2022 with 15.
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Gallery Credit: Simon Besnoy
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Gallery Credit: Crimson Tide Photos/ UA Athletics