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It is yet another shot at another former first-round edge rusher for the 49ers. Initially, defensive end Takkarist McKinley, having been waived by the Atlanta Falcons, was awarded via claim to the Cincinnati Bengals, but failed his physical with the team. At that point, he was waived again, and fair game.
Now, he’ll be joining San Francisco, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, and thanks to the team’s bye week, will be eligible to enter the team’s facilities on Monday once he passes his COVID tests and assuming he passes his physical.
49ers claimed former Falcons’ first-round draft pick Takk McKinley on waivers, per source.
Bengals initially claimed McKinley, but he failed his physical, putting him back on waivers.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 18, 2020
McKinley has played just four games this season due to groin injuries, having sustained one in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys and re-aggravated it against the Carolina Panthers.
The former 26th overall pick was then waived by the Atlanta Falcons in his fourth year with the team for criticizing the team after they declined to trade him.
He had been mostly healthy prior to the 2020 season, playing 16 games with 6.0 sacks his rookie year, 15 games with 7.5 sacks his second year, and 14 games with 3.5 sacks his third year. He has a single sack this year, which came against Russell Wilson in Week 1.
In McKinley, the 49ers now have eight former first-round defensive linemen on their roster, though at least half are likely out for the season:
- Javon Kinlaw, 14th overall, 2020
- Nick Bosa, 2nd overall, 2019
- Solomon Thomas, 3rd overall, 2017
- Takk McKinley, 26th overall, 2017
- Arik Armstead, 17th overall, 2015
- Dee Ford, 24th overall, 2014
- Dion Jordan, 3rd overall, 2013
- Ziggy Ansah, 6th overall, 2013
It’s unclear how healthy McKinley is, but he could result in a compensatory pick in 2022 if he gets healthy and plays well the remainder of the year.