Cornerback Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry is getting closer to becoming a practice participant for the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints started their three-day mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, and the second-round draft choice from Alabama was on the field with his teammates. Although his workload was limited, it was still more than he had done previously during New Orleans’ offseason program.

“He was pretty much on the side for the most part today,” Saints coach Dennis Allen said on Tuesday. “He went through the walkthrough, and then he was on the side with the trainers for the most part.

“Look, I think he’s getting closer, and my expectation is that he’ll be ready to go for training camp.”

Medical examinations at the NFL Scouting Combine found McKinstry had a Jones fracture that required surgery for his right foot. That didn’t prevent the Saints from using the 41st selection of the NFL Draft on April 26 to acquire the cornerback.

Although McKinstry played only a few snaps for the Crimson Tide as a slot corner, Allen said that might be the former Pinson Valley High School star’s quickest route to the field once he regains his health.

“I see him competing in that spot along with the outside corner position,” Allen said. “I don’t see anybody being just a nickel only. I see that position being a dual-position player.”

A second-round draft choice in 2022, Alontae Taylor handled nickel-corner duties for the Saints’ last season, although Allen benched him twice.

“As we sit here right now, Alontae Taylor’s that guy,” Allen said about the slot duty on Tuesday. “I think his confidence level is good. I think there were some areas that he could have approved on from last year. I think he’s approached it the right way. He’s working extremely hard at it.

“He’s a talented player, and, look, I would say to be too harsh on him for his performance last year I think would be a little unfair in that you’re talking about a young guy that’s playing a position that he really hadn’t played. And so those things take a little bit of time to get a feel for, and I think you’ll see an improved player in that area this year.”

New Orleans returns outside cornerbacks Paulson Adebo and Marshon Lattimore. Adebo is a three-year starter for the Saints, and Lattimore is a four-time Pro Bowler who has played in 17 games over the past two seasons because of injuries.

The Saints’ selection of McKinstry led to speculation that Lattimore was on his way out, primarily because he’s due a $13.79 million option bonus if he’s on the New Orleans roster one week before the start of the season.

Lattimore reported for minicamp and practiced with his teammates on Tuesday.

After this week, the Saints will go on their summer break. Allen said New Orleans would hold its first practice of training camp on July 24.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.