During a medical exam at the 2024 NFL Combine, Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry discovered a Jones fracture in his right foot, resulting in his absence from testing and on-field workouts in Indianapolis. How long will the injury set him back, and should NFL teams worry about his health in the NFL Draft?
Kool-Aid McKinstry Injury Update
In his latest mock draft, which had the Alabama star landing with the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 17 overall, PFN NFL Insider Adam Caplan said a source confirmed that McKinstry plans to participate at Alabama’s Pro Day on March 20 and will have foot surgery after.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said McKinstry is expected to be “100%” before training camp begins this offseason, meaning franchises shouldn’t be too concerned with the injury during the NFL Draft.
A Jones fracture is a small break in the fifth metatarsal — the bone joining the pinkie toe to the base of the foot. Depending on the severity of damage done before the diagnosis, recovery can take six to 12 weeks.
McKinstry isn’t the only 2024 NFL Draft prospect with the injury, as Illinois’ Johnny Newton, a top DT in the class, underwent surgery for a partial Jones fracture in January. While some athletes decline the surgery, which is typically repaired with a screw and plate, two NFL stars made in-season recoveries in recent years.
Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry suffered a Jones fracture in Week 8 of the 2021 campaign and returned for the Divisional Round of the playoffs. And in 2020, San Francisco 49ers WR Deebo Samuel underwent surgery in June and missed the season’s first three games.
Currently, McKinstry checks in as the CB2 and 15th overall prospect on PFN’s Big Board. PFN NFL Draft Analyst Ian Cummings has the Alabama CB as his CB3, behind Crimson Tide teammate Terrion Arnold and Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell.
KEEP READING: Final 2024 NFL Combine Risers
“McKinstry grades out as a top-25 prospect and a worthy first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft,” Cummings said in McKinstry’s scouting report.
“With a well-rounded profile across man and zone alignments, McKinstry shouldn’t need much of a runway ahead of becoming a quality NFL starter, and with more refinement around the edges in off-man, he can rise to be an impact starter with a playmaking flair.”
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