Kool-Aid McKinstry has started to fail, but the Saints are counting on him

Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry took 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 could play 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 went out with a hamstring injury. New Orleans’ injury report for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys lists Lattimore’s participation status as questionable after he was unable to practice this week.

“I’m always ready to play,” McKinstry said Thursday. “I’m always focused and ready. You never know. And that’s a big thing. A lot of guys in the locker room always tell me, ‘You never know when you’re going to call your number. It could be the first play, it could be the last play,’ so I prepared that way last week, and I’m doing the same thing this week.”

McKinstry made two tackles, and profootballreference.com shows that receivers covered by the rookie were targeted three times by Carolina quarterback Bryce Young with one pass completed for 5 yards. Pro Football Focus says McKinstry gave up two receptions for 40 yards.

“I feel like I played well,” McKinstry said. “It was my first time out on the field. I felt comfortable. …

“I feel like the speed was good. I feel like the speed was good for me. I feel like I adapted well to the speed.”

McKinstry got off to an inauspicious start. On his first play for Lattimore, McKinstry dropped coverage to try to contain Young. The Carolina quarterback threw the ball to receiver Jonathan Mingo for a 35-yard gain, the Panthers’ longest play in the Saints’ 47-10 victory.

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“He loves to compete,” New Orleans defensive coordinator Joe Woods said. “You know he’s there. Now, the first play — ehhh. Right? He’s got to make sure he stays in coverage. But one thing: He doesn’t blink.”

“The game isn’t too important to him. He was excited to play. He went out there, he challenged the receivers, and I think that’s what I liked about him — and I went to 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 isn’t too important to him.”

McKinstry said he learned his lesson and moved on to the next play.

“Being a cornerback is something you know on the field,” McKinstry said. “It’s something you learn on the field. As a cornerback, I’ve known it since high school. Somebody catches the ball on you, it’s time to move on. I feel like it’s something you know. Like I said, as a cornerback, it’s something you already know. Adapt to the next play.”