Remember the name – Mitchell Tinsley.
The NFL preseason is all about the unknowns of the football world becoming a known, something Tinsley experienced in a big way on Monday night with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Battles for roster spots and playing time are entering the final stretch as the preseason winds down. For Tinsley, he picked the right time to shine.
On the national stage of ‘Monday Night Football,’ Tinsley capped of the first half against the Washington Commanders with a one-handed catch and two touchdowns in just 17 seconds of game action.
The stars and starters were on the sidelines, but another one might’ve been born on the field before halftime. Here’s what to know about the little-known Bengals receiver.
Who is Mitchell Tinsley?
Tinsley is a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals.
The 25-year-old is competing for a roster spot on the team, but he has been around the league for a couple seasons now.
After attending Hutchinson Community College for two years in Hutchinson, Kansas, Tinsley transferred to Western Kentucky and eventually Penn State before entering the NFL draft.
He ended up signing with the Commanders after going undrafted and was on their practice squad in 2024 after playing 10 snaps across two games in 2023.
Mitchell Tinsley stats
Despite being in the NFL since 2023, Tinsley has yet to catch a pass in an NFL game. He played two games for the Commanders that season, but only 10 snaps – three on offense and seven on special teams.
Tinsley’s junior season, his second at Western Kentucky, was a breakout year for him. The receiver finished with 87 catches, 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns in 14 games.
In 39 college games, Tinsley totaled 181 receptions, 2,356 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Mitchell Tinsley draft
Tinsley went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft and opted to sign with the Washington Commanders. Tinsley played three seasons of college football, spending two at Western Kentucky and one at Penn State.
Mitchell Tinsley on the Commanders
Tinsley’s time with the Commanders was relatively uneventful. He was on the roster in 2023, playing in two games, but saw just three snaps on offense and seven on special teams.
After being released on Aug. 27, 2024, Tinsley signed with the Commanders’ practice squad the next day. On Feb. 4, 2025, the receiver signed a futures contract with the Bengals.