Free-agent edge-rusher Takkarist McKinley is signing with the New York Jets, according to NFL.com. The 2017 first-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons out of UCLA is set to join his seventh organization in his seventh year in the NFL. He has appeared in games for the Falcons, Cleveland Browns, and Los Angeles Rams and has racked up 98 tackles, 20 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two pass deflections in 64 career games. Although he's unlikely to ever live up to his draft status, he could contribute to a dominant defense as a rotational edge rusher. He'll look to compete with Micheal Clemons and Will McDonald IV to play behind Haason Reddick and Jermaine Johnson in 2024.
The Cowboys announced the release of defensive end Takk McKinley on Friday. The 27-year-old was selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft by Atlanta, where he played most of his career and totaled 19.5 sacks. He then spent time with the Brown and Rams before landing on Dallas' practice squad in November 2022. However, he hasn't contributed much since leaving Atlanta. At any rate, McKinley will likely garner interest from other teams around the National Football League. But unless he turns things around from a production standpoint, he offers nothing to IDP managers.
Takkarist McKinley Signed To Titans' Practice Squad
The Tennessee Titans have signed defensive end Takkarist McKinley to their practice squad while promoting defensive back Chris Jackson to their active roster. This move comes after a Week 1 loss to the New York Giants in which the Titans allowed 238 rushing yards with their Pro Bowl edge rusher Harold Landry (knee) on injured reserve. McKinley, who was a first-round NFL Draft selection in 2017, has unfortunately struggled to stay on the field and ruptured his Achilles late in the 2021 season as a member of the Cleveland Browns. He did appear to be healthy on the practice field with the Titans on Friday, though, and the team hopes to eventually replace some of Landry's production with this low-risk move.
Cleveland Browns pass-rusher Takk McKinley (Achilles) suffered a ruptured Achilles in Monday's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders and will miss the rest of the season. In other injury news on defense, defensive end Myles Garrett (groin) is awaiting results after injuring his groin in Week 15, and safety John Johnson is day-to-day with a hamstring injury. McKinley, a former first-round pick in 2017, had only 2.5 sacks in 11 games, but he had been a consistent source of pressure and will be missed as the Browns try to make the postseason in the final three weeks. Garrett is one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL and has 15 sacks, 31 solo tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 28 QB hits, so the Browns defense cannot afford to lose him when they basically need to win out.
Cleveland Browns pass-rusher Takk McKinley (Achilles) is feared to have suffered a torn Achilles in Monday's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15, according to a source. McKinley will undergo an MRI exam on Tuesday morning to confirm the initial diagnosis. The 26-year-old had to be carted off the field in the second half on Monday with what was initially believed to be an ankle injury. McKinley was unable to put any weight on his leg. It's more bad news for a Browns defense that has been decimated by injury and COVID-19 in the last week, although they found a way to stay strong and play well in the 16-14 loss to the Raiders. McKinley has played mostly as the third defensive end and has created consistent pressure while recording 2.5 sacks on the year.
Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Takk McKinley (ankle) has been ruled out for the rest of Monday's Week 15 game against the Las Vegas Raiders with an ankle injury. McKinley was one of a long list of Browns players to land on the COVID-19 list last week, but he was activated on Saturday and was active for Monday's rescheduled game against the Raiders. McKinley came into the Week 15 game with 18 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 10 games played, but Cleveland won't have him available for the rest of the second half.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Takk McKinley was the first player to test off the Reserve/COVID-19 list under the new league rules that were adopted on Thursday. It's good news for a Browns team that has been hit heavy by a COVID-19 outbreak this week, but there's still hope that more Cleveland players can test off the list in time to play on Monday against the Las Vegas Raiders. Pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney is another defensive player that is currently on the COVID list. In his first year in Cleveland, McKinley has recorded 18 tackles (10 solo), three tackles for loss, eight QB hits, a forced fumble and 2.5 sacks in 10 games played. The Browns defense/special teams will be a low-end starting unit in fantasy this week against a sinking Raiders team.
The Las Vegas Raiders placed former Falcons first-rounder Takk McKinley (groin) on Injured Reserve on Friday, so they will hang onto him instead of waiving him after he failed physicals with the Bengals and 49ers previously. It's been another long and disappointing season for the pass-rusher from UCLA, as he was cut by Atlanta after making a social-media scene because he wasn't dealt at the trading deadline. For now, the 25-year-old will just give the Raiders some intriguing pass-rush depth while he gets back to 100 percent health. McKinley played in only four games for the Falcons this year and has an underwhelming 79 total tackles and 17.5 sacks in 49 games played in his first four years in the NFL.
The Las Vegas Raiders made a splash earlier Monday by signing Vic Beasley to their practice squad, following up that announcement by claiming outside linebacker/defensive end Takk McKinley off of waivers. McKinley has already failed a physical with two different organizations, with the Raiders hoping to add him to their defense for the stretch run of the 2020 season. In four starts with the Falcons this year, McKinley has compiled eight tackles, seven quarterback hits, one pass defended, and one sack. The move may come as particularly appealing to McKinley, who could get a chance to face Atlanta as soon as Sunday, as the Raiders are set to travel to take on the Falcons in Week 12. Even with McKinley in the mix, the Raiders defense remains outside of fantasy consideration in all but the deepest of season-long formats.
The San Francisco 49ers claimed former Falcons first-round defensive end Takkarist McKinley off waivers from the Bengals on Wednesday, according to a source. The Bengals claimed McKinley off waivers from the Falcons but put him back on waivers when he failed a physical. The 25-year-old hasn't played since Week 7 due to a groin injury and has managed to suit up for just four games this season. He's been a first-round bust to this point in his career with just 17.5 sacks and 79 combined tackles in his four seasons with Atlanta. The Niners have had plenty of injuries on their defensive line this year, so they're taking a flier on McKinley's talent.