Report: Kool-Aid McKinstry Won't Work Out at NFL Combine Due to Jones Fracture

Highly touted Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry will not be participating in the NFL Combine on Friday due to a right foot injury.

INDIANAPOLIS — As the defensive backs participate in the NFL Combine's on-field drills later today at 2 p.m. CT, renowned Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry won't be joining them due to a newly found Jones fracture, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

"During an NFL Combine medical evaluation, doctors found that Bama All-American CB Kool-Aid McKinstry has a Jones fracture in his right foot, sources say," Rapoport writes. "McKinstry won’t work out in Indy, but will do so at his Pro Day, then get it fixed. He should be 100% before training camp."

Dr. Jesse Morse, a largely followed Sports and Family Medicine Physician, explained the background of the somewhat lesser-known injury on X (formerly known on Twitter).

"A Jones fracture is a fracture of the 5th metatarsal towards the middle of the foot," Morse writes. "These are not uncommon, and always require surgery because of a very poor blood supply, preventing them from healing. Some players don’t realize they have them, as in this case, because they’re used to that side of the foot being sore and they just deal with it. Refracture rate after surgery (screw placement) is low and most players do really well with those, sometimes even having the screw removed in the future."

McKinstry shined for the Crimson Tide this past season as he finished second on the team behind fellow NFL Draft prospect Terrion Arnold with seven pass breakups. He also totaled 32 tackles. His numbers dipped a bit from 2022-23, as opposing quarterbacks didn't throw toward him as often due to an elite sophomore campaign. Nevertheless, McKinstry was still named an AP All-American.

McKinstry's been in that gray area of mid-to-late first-round or even an early second-round pick in most mock drafts. A good workout later today could've really increased his chances of being selected on Day 1. Nevertheless, Alabama will now have just safety Jaylen Key and the aforementioned Arnold participating in Friday's on-field drills starting at 2 p.m. CT on NFL Network.

Tracker: Alabama On-Field Drills at 2024 NFL Combine