Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry got on the field for 28 defensive snaps and nine special-teams plays in his NFL debut, and the former Pinson Valley High School and Alabama standout might be in for an even bigger role in Game 2 on Sunday.
The New Orleans Saints put the rookie cornerback on the field in their season-opener against the Carolina Panthers when Marshon Lattimore came out with a hamstring injury. The New Orleans injury report for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys lists Lattimore’s participation status as questionable after he failed to practice this week.
“I’m always ready to play,” McKinstry said on Thursday. “I’m always locked in and ready. You never know. And that’s a big thing. A lot of guys around the locker room always been telling me ‘You never know when your number’s called. Could be first play, could be last play,’ so I prepared that way last week, and that’s the same thing I’m doing for this week.”
McKinstry made two tackles, and profootballreference.com shows receivers being covered by the rookie were targeted three times by Carolina quarterback Bryce Young with one completion for 5 yards. Pro Football Focus says McKinstry gave up two receptions for 40 yards.
“I feel like I played all right,” McKinstry said. “It was my first time out there getting my feet wet. Feel like I felt comfortable. …
“I feel like the speed was OK. I feel like the speed was OK for me. I feel like I adapted well to the speed.”
McKinstry had an inauspicious beginning. On his first play in for Lattimore, McKinstry abandoned coverage to try to contain Young. The Carolina QB threw to wide receiver Jonathan Mingo for a 35-yard gain, the Panthers’ longest play of the Saints’ 47-10 victory.
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“He likes to compete,” New Orleans defensive coordinator Joe Woods said. “You know he’s in there. Now the first play – ehhh. Right? He has to make sure he stays in coverage. But the one thing: He doesn’t blink.
“The game’s not too big for him. He was excited to go in the game. He went out there, he was challenging receivers, and I think that’s what I liked about him – and I went to the pro day just to visit with him and stuff like that. But he’s a very confident player, he’s a very smart player, and, again, playing in front of big crowds is not too big for him.”
McKinstry said he learned his lesson and moved on to the next play.
“Being a cornerback, that’s something you know off the rip,” McKinstry said. “That’s something you learn off the rip. Being a cornerback, I’ve been knowing that since high school. Someone catch the ball on you, it’s time to move on. I feel like that’s something you know. Like I said, as a cornerback, that’s something you already know. Adapt to the next play.”
McKinstry spent one-quarter of his defensive snaps at slot corner in his debut.
“Wherever the team need me,” McKinstry said. “Of course, I got way more reps at corner just because I played a lot more corner in college. But wherever I’m needed, I’m there, ready to help the team.”
The Saints play the Cowboys at noon CDT Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Dallas opened its season with a 33-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns. The New Orleans secondary will be dealing with Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, a first-team All-Pro selection in 2023.
“I feel like what they do, they do it very well,” McKinstry said, “so just ready to get out there and compete. … Of course, you got to always know where 88 at. But the other guys are good, too. Them guys make plays, too, so we got to contain those guys, too, and make sure those guys are not making plays.”
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
