49ers waive Takkarist McKinley due to failed physical, place three on COVID list

Defensive end Takkarist McKinley just cannot find a new NFL home this month.

The San Francisco 49ers claimed the 25-year-old off waivers on Wednesday but announced on Friday that they've waived him due to a failed physical. 

It's a matter of history repeating itself for McKinley, who was set to join the Cincinnati Bengals until they waived him for the same reason earlier this week. 

Additionally, San Francisco announced that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, left tackle Trent Williams, and tight end Daniel Helm have been added to the reserve/COVID-19 list. The 49ers are on their bye week, and the statuses of those three players for the Nov. 29 game against the Los Angeles Rams are up in the air heading into the weekend. 

It's the second time San Francisco has recently placed Aiyuk and Williams on the list. 

McKinley will now look for his third opportunity at a second chance since the Atlanta Falcons parted ways with the 2017 first-round draft selection on Nov. 9. He recorded one sack and eight total tackles in four games with Atlanta but missed time this fall because of a lingering groin issue and then fell out of favor with interim coach Raheem Morris by tweeting about his wishes to be moved by the Falcons both before and after the Nov. 3 trade deadline. 

While there remain a handful of contenders in need of assistance on the defensive front, McKinley must pass a physical with such a team to play again this year. Thus far, he's 0-2 in that department.