There was a report on Thursday that the San Francisco 49ers were "OK" with former Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takkarist McKinley failing a physical last week with the Cincinnati Bengals. The 49ers claimed the defender after the Bengals waived him.
One note: While Takk McKinley was failed on a physical in Cincy for a groin injury, my understanding is the #49ers are OK with it. They'll have to assess the groin and see when he can play, but they are good with where he stands physically. https://t.co/xWMrXdyJBH
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 19, 2020
It sounds like McKinley is about to hit the waiver wire for the third time in the last two weeks. He has been dealing with a groin injury.
According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, McKinley failed his physical with the 49ers too, and the team plans to waive him. Barrows notes that this doesn't necessarily mean San Francisco is unwilling to re-sign the defensive end — assuming he goes unclaimed — once he is healthy.
Hearing the #49ers are going to waive/failed physical DE Takk McKinley after examining him this week. It means McKinley will go on waivers for a third time. Team not shutting the door on signing him when he's healthy. Presumably, his groin injury remains problematic.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) November 20, 2020
The 49ers had hoped that McKinley could come in and provide a boost for a struggling pass rush that, like much of the roster, has been devastated by injuries this season. The 49ers sit at the bottom of the NFC West standings with a 4-6 record and hope to make a strong run during the season's final six games.
