The Houston Texans have added wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley to their practice squad, as reported by The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov on August 31. Tinsley, a 26-year-old standing 6 feet 1 inch tall, previously played for the Cincinnati Bengals, where he had eight receptions for 116 yards and two touchdowns last season.
His exit from the Bengals follows the team's strong roster of wide receivers, attracting interest from various teams.
According to The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr., Tinsley likely perceives a greater chance for playing time in Houston, particularly as the Texans have been actively looking to enhance their wide receiver depth this month. He joins Lewis Bond and Josh Kelly on the practice squad, as reported by Sleeper affiliate Jacob Barzilla.
Tinsley had a notable preseason in 2025, which secured him a spot on the Bengals' roster.
Having gone undrafted, Tinsley has appeared in 19 regular-season games, starting four of them. He is known as a possession receiver with solid ball skills, though he may not possess the speed necessary for separation.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noted Tinsley’s ability to make challenging catches, especially in the middle of the field, despite some athletic limitations that might restrict him to a zone-beating role from the slot. The Texans' need for wide receiver support has grown after Jayden Higgins suffered a torn ACL.
