Saints rookie Kool-Aid McKinstry was in some clear discomfort as he slowly jogged across the field after his team's first defensive series.
The former Alabama standout was dealing with some sort of leg issue as he went into the blue injury tent. He then came out to test the injury, got on the bike shortly, then returned to the tent for a few minutes before ultimately going back to the locker room. He didn't return the rest of the way, but head coach Dennis Allen gave an optimistic update in his postgame comments.
"He has a knee injury," Allen said. "I think we avoided anything serious. Now, what kind of time we’re looking at, I really have no idea."
The Saints were already playing without starters Paulson Adebo (groin) and Marshon Lattimore (hip), though the team is hopeful both players will be ready for the start of the regular season. Missing significant time would be a disappointing scenario for McKinstry, whom the Saints traded up to select in the second round of this year's draft.
He was far from alone in terms of rookie injuries in this game, though. TE Dallin Holker suffered an ankle sprain as he worked out on the field early in the day. Center Sincere Haynesworth had a 49ers defender crash into the outside of his left knee in the third quarter and had to be helped off the field. DT Khristian Boyd also suffered some kind of leg issue, though after treatment he was able to return to the game. Veteran safety Tyrann Mathieu also went into the injury tent for treatment at one point, though it appeared he was already done for the day at that point.
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While it's possible one or more of those players misses additional time, Allen also gave a positive update on the rest of the roster's health.
"I think we escaped the game, at least on initial report, you know, without any major injuries," he said.
The Saints have now officially completed their residence in California after 28 days, 18 practices in Irvine and a pair of preseason games. They'll now head back to Louisiana where they're scheduled to host a pair of open practices this week, one at Tulane's Yulman Stadium and the other at the Caesars Superdome, before a home matchup with the Titans in the preseason finale.