Report confirms NFC team stopped Bengals’ plans to bring back familiar face
The Cincinnati Bengals reunited with wide receiver Mitch Tinsley this week by signing him off the Houston Texans practice squad. Tinsley was not the only former Bengals wideout Cincinnati tried to bring back.
The Cincinnati Bengals reunited with wide receiver Mitch Tinsley this week by signing him off the Houston Texans practice squad. Tinsley was not the only former Bengals wideout Cincinnati tried to bring back.
The Athletic’s Dan Duggan reports the New York Giants signed Charlie Jones from their practice squad to their active roster Tuesday because the Bengals were interested in bringing him back.
Jones was cut along with Tinsley in August, and Cincinnati’s now confirmed interest in the former fourth-round pick makes a ton of sense.
Bengals needed a change at returner
The Bengals entered this week needing more depth at receiver, but the player they waived to fit Tinsley on the roster was also a receiver. Ke’Shawn Williams ended up getting the boot only days after his subpar kickoff return and muffed a punt against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3. The turnover proved costly in the 30-27 loss.
Tinsley was ultimately signed to replace Colbie Young, who is out this week with a knee injury, but Williams would probably still be on the roster if he had a clean day returning kicks and punts for the Bengals. His errors opened the door for Cincinnati to look elsewhere.
Jones has a proven track record in Cincinnati
The interest in Jones confirms the Bengals were looking to bring back their primary returner from the previous three seasons.
Jones was drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft and returned a combined 97 kickoffs and punts for Cincinnati, scoring three touchdowns in the process. He lost the role this offseason when Dohnte Meyers proved capable and added more value as a backup slot receiver.
The Bengals still value Jones’s ability as a reliable return man. New York’s decision to sign him to their active roster is no coincidence with Cincinnati having attempted to poach him off its practice squad.
What happens now at returner?
Meyers will most likely remain the Bengals’ return man going forward, as he was in the first two weeks of the season. Williams did sign back with the club’s practice squad Wednesday afternoon, so it’s not out of the question for him to be elevated this weekend against the Jacksonville Jaguars despite his errors from last Sunday.
The Bengals tried to get Jones back and couldn’t, but they kept Meyers for a reason. Tinsley’s return should only help spread out the responsibilities between them.
