Mitchell Tinsley Shines in Bengals’ Preseason Victory Over Commanders

CINCINNATI, Aug. 19, 2025 - Undrafted free agent wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley made a big impact Monday night. He caught five passes for 73 yards and scored two touchdowns. This helped the Cincinnati Bengals win 31–17 against the Washington Commanders in the preseason.

Tinsley spent the last two seasons with Washington. He was on their roster and practice squad. This offseason, he signed a futures contract with Cincinnati. Now, he’s a team captain for the game against his old team. He celebrated the honor with a 13-yard touchdown just before halftime. Then, he grabbed a 21-yard score just 20 seconds later, ending the first half on a high note. Both receptions showed off his strong body control and “high-pointing” ability. Bengals coach Zac Taylor praised these qualities afterward. ““Baller,” Taylor said. ““He just works hard. He’s earned the respect of everyone in the locker room. He opened doors for himself and gave us touchdowns, catches, and longer drives.

Quarterback Joe Burrow didn’t play in the second half. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins rested too. Still, Burrow backed Tinsley’s chances to make the roster. When asked if Tinsley had done enough to make the 53-man squad, Burrow replied, “I sure hope so”. The performance is a key step for Tinsley. He aims to break into a strong Bengals receiver group filled with stars and top draft picks.

Tinsley downplayed his two-TD night, emphasizing execution over celebration. ““It’s a step in the right direction, but for me I focus on work and execution,” he said. His preseason résumé now shows he led the team in receiving yards for two games in a row. This highlights his reliability, which could help once the regular season starts.

The Bengals will wrap up preseason play on Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts. Final roster cuts are due on Aug. 26. Tinsley’s late-summer surge has boosted his momentum. He’s now aiming for a major upset in the 2025 training camps.