The Texans’ receiver situation is suddenly thin enough that Mitchell Tinsley could find himself in the mix against the Bengals on Sunday in Houston.
The biggest blow came Wednesday, when Pro Bowl wideout Nico Collins suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain in practice. Collins then sat out Thursday, and there’s a strong chance he won’t be available this weekend.
Houston was already missing Tank Dell and Jayden Higgins, so Collins’ injury leaves the room stretched even further. If he’s inactive, the Texans would have only four other receivers on the 53-man roster, which would guarantee at least one practice-squad call-up for game day and could mean two.
That opens the door for Tinsley, a familiar name to Bengals fans. He was on Cincinnati’s 53-man roster last year and was widely viewed as one of the toughest cuts when final roster decisions came around this season. After clearing waivers, he chose not to join the Bengals’ practice squad and instead signed with Houston.
It still isn’t certain that Tinsley would be the one elevated. The Texans also have Josh Kelly, Daniel Sobkowicz and Lewis Bond on the practice squad, and all three spent the offseason and training camp with Houston, which could give them the edge for a call-up.
Even so, Tinsley’s track record makes him worth watching. He made the Bengals’ roster last year and came up with several big plays during the regular season. With Houston’s depth tested, his name is now very much in play.
In Other News...
Bengals May Have Found A Rookie Defensive Spark Already
For a defense that spent much of the offseason under scrutiny, the Bengals got an immediate jolt from a pair of rookies in their Week 1 win over Tampa Bay. Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. both played with the kind of urgency Cincinnati was hoping to see early, and their presence showed up in the kind of moments that can change a game, with the defense helping create four turnovers while holding the Buccaneers to 282 yards.
Zac Taylor was quick to note how confidently the two linebackers handled themselves and how much command they showed in the middle of the defense. For a team trying to stabilize that side of the ball, rookie contributions are one thing, but rookie contributions that translate into takeaways are another, and Cincinnati will be watching closely to see whether this opening-week spark can become something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Just Caught A Break Before A Tough Trip To Houston
Houston will be missing some of the familiar names that usually make it a difficult place to play, which gives Cincinnati a little extra breathing room heading into a road game that already carried plenty of weight. The Texans have ruled out wide receiver Nico Collins, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and starting guard Ed Ingram because of injuries, thinning out both sides of the ball as the Bengals prepare for another test away from home.
For Cincinnati, the timing matters because Joe Burrow was limited in practice with back tightness but is expected to play, keeping the offense on track for a trip that now looks a bit less daunting. Houston will have to sort out its lineup with Kayshon Boutte and Dalton Schultz expected to take on bigger roles, and the Bengals will be watching to see whether the absences up front and on the edge create an opening they can press early. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Rookie Cashius Howell Is Drawing The Kind Of Praise Fans Notice
Cashius Howell has already started to make a quiet impression in Cincinnati, and for a rookie trying to carve out a role on the defensive line, that matters. The Bengals edge rusher recently talked about how the jump from Bowling Green to Texas A&M was a major adjustment, which makes the move to the NFL feel like one more demanding step in a career built on climbing levels the hard way.
What stands out now is the early feedback from inside the locker room. Amarius Mims and Shemar Stewart have both offered favorable takes on Howells ability and work habits, the kind of praise that tends to travel quickly around a team and stick with fans who are watching for signs of which young players can help soon. For a Bengals defense looking to add more dependable pieces up front, Howells early reception is worth keeping an eye on. [Read more 🡒]