Mitchell Tinsley's first NFL catch is worth a second look

14/09/2025 21:00

One of the best storylines from NFL training camp was the job Mitchell Tinsley was doing as one of the receivers on the Cincinnati Bengals, fighting for a roster spot. His performance caught the attention of the entire league and had quarterback Joe Burrow making a case for Tinsley to be on the roster.

Tinsley indeed made the Bengals’ roster and was on the field for a play early in the third quarter Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. That’s when he made his first NFL catch.

And what a catch it was.

With Burrow sidelined with a toe injury, backup quarterback Jake Browning looked in Tinsley’s direction on this vertical route in the red zone. Somehow, with a defender draped all over him, Tinsley pulled in this throw for a dramatic touchdown:

Replay confirmed that Tinsley indeed came down in bounds on this one-handed catch for a touchdown.

Given that his first NFL catch — and touchdown — came on his first NFL target, do not be surprised if Bengals quarterbacks look in his direction a little more going forward.