Takk

McKinley

McKinley participated in Jets minicamp on a tryout basis and now has a chance to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. McKinley was released by the Cowboys in June of last year and didn’t spend the 2023 season on an NFL roster. A former first-round pick of the Falcons in 2017, McKinley has appeared in 64 games during his career, totaling 20 sacks and 25 TFLs.

McKinley spent parts of the last two seasons in Cleveland and Los Angeles before signing to the Cowboys’ practice squad in November. Dallas didn’t have a spot for McKinley after adding ex-Colts DE Ben Banogu this week. The 27-year-old former first-round pick hasn’t started since 2021.

McKinley joined Tennessee a week ago, but will now head to the west coast. He made a few visits to various teams over the summer, but never put pen to paper. In 2021, McKinley notched 2.5 sacks across 11 games for the Browns.

McKinley visited the Cowboys and Cardinals during the summer, but never signed with a team. Coming off a Week 15 Achilles’ tear, it’s possible McKinley wasn’t quite ready to return until the season started. McKinley will likely be called up to the active roster down the road. He notched 2.5 sacks while playing a rotational role for the Browns last year.

Arizona becomes the second team to host McKinley on a visit since the Cowboys hosted him on Saturday. The veteran defensive end is still working his way back from a ruptured Achilles that ended his 2021 season, but his recent visits suggest he may be ready to return soon. Last season, McKinley totaled 2.5 sacks and three TFLs in 14 games with the Browns.

McKinley last played for the Browns in Week 15 of last season. The veteran defensive end suffered a torn Achilles against the Raiders and has been working his way back ever since. Heading into his age-26 season, McKinley has struggled to produce at the high level that saw him register 16.5 sacks in his first three seasons. Last year with the Browns he managed just 2.5 sacks and three TFLs in 14 games. McKinley’s relationship with DC Dan Quinn played a role in the two sides’ interest.

McKlinkey, emotional as he was carted off the field in the Browns’ loss to the Raiders, will have a long road back to game action after the Achilles injury. He had 2.5 sacks and three tackles for a loss through 14 games this season. McKinley totaled 13 sacks across his first two years in the league but has since fallen off.

McKinley was attempting to beat a Raiders’ tackle en route to pressuring Derek Carr but pulled up mind-play because of the ankle issue. He finished the play standing but eventually went to the ground. Trainers came out to look at McKinley and he was ultimately carted from the field. The Browns ruled him out in the ensuing minutes. McKinley has 2.5 sacks and three TFLs this year.

McKinley’s return signals optimism that the Browns could see additional players return to action for Monday’s game against the Raiders. With the NFL introducing new protocols that allow players to return after 24 hours without symptoms and one negative test, the Browns could see a way of returns prior to their delayed Week 15 matchup.

The deal is worth approximately $4 million for the 2017 first-rounder. McKinley tried to force his way out of Atlanta before the trade deadline last season, but there weren’t any takers. He was then released and proceeded to fail two physicals before finally landing in Las Vegas, where he ended up on injured reserve without ever playing a snap. McKinley totaled 13 sacks across his first two years in the league, but that number is 4.5 over the past two seasons. The Browns are betting on a strong culture and coaching staff reviving a player who is still only 25.