Titans WR Mason Kinsey brings resilient attitude to big opportunity
NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans wide receiver Mason Kinsey prides himself on his versatility and dependability more than anything else. The former Division-III wide receiver at Berry College has spent time with both the Titans and New England Patriots over his three NFL seasons, but has always found his way back to Nashville. 2023 marks Kinsey's fourth […]
NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans wide receiver Mason Kinsey prides himself on his versatility and dependability more than anything else.
The former Division-III wide receiver at Berry College has spent time with both the Titans and New England Patriots over his three NFL seasons, but has always found his way back to Nashville.
2023 marks Kinsey's fourth training camp with the Titans, and while Kinsey has only been active for three regular season games up to this point, his opportunity this fall might be his best one yet.
With Kyle Philips expected to miss six weeks with an MCL injury and Treylon Burks working through an LCL sprain, Tennessee is depleted at wide receiver with less than a week until NFL cut day. Philips is also the Titans' primary punt returner.
In moments like these, being versatile and dependable can go a long way.
"Obviously it's a big opportunity with some guys down in our room. But I just come in here and try to stack days, try to build the trust of my teammates and coaches. I try to just take it a day at a time. I try not to look at the mountain, I just try to climb," said Kinsey after practice on Wednesday.
"I think by stacking these days, it gives the coaches more confidence to plug and play guys. When we play New Orleans, I feel like I've given myself an oppournity to suit up."
Kinsey's day-to-day mindset and love for the game is something every football coach and fan can appreciate. He comes in every day working hard and answering the bell even when the opportunity to play on Sunday hasn't always been there.
It doesn't matter where he's asked to play or what he's asked to do, Kinsey is going to show up to the best of his ability. He is as resilient as they come, and I have to think there's some value in that.
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel recently pointed to Kinsey as the player on the roster who runs the most during practices while bouncing between different positions. That's at both wide receiver and safety, which Kinsey plays for the scout team sometimes during the regular season.
"He can line up at any different spot. He’s reliable, dependable," said head coach Mike Vrabel of Kinsey. "You know you're going to get a good day, honest day's work from Mason and I think we all appreciate that, and he's got a great attitude and he's fun to be around."
Kinsey, who saw the comments made by his head coach, called it a "huge compliment" after practice on Wednesday. The 24-year-old receiver said that being reliable and dependable is a big deal because "those are the guys that end up playing."
Does having a great attitude and showing up every day mean Kinsey is guaranteed to get an opportunity this season? Certainly not. But it definitely won't hurt his chances. If we know anything about Mike Vrabel it's that he values dependability. Being a guy the head coach trusts could absolutely be what separates Kinsey from another wide receiver when it's time to be elevated for a game or return some punts.
It's also what got him in at quarterback for two snaps in Minnesota last weekend.
"I have no problem doing things like that. I have no problem coming in and being an emergency quarterback. No matter how funny it is, it's stuff that I'm excited to do because I just love playing football. Any opportunity to take one more snap, I look forward to it," said Kinsey,
So what keeps a guy like Kinsey coming back for more? What makes him so willing to answer the bell when he has participated in more training camps than he has regular season games?
When asked those questions on Wednesday, Kinsey quoted a Bible verse, Proverbs 14:23, that he has tattoed across his chest. "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."
After putting together what he called his most consistent training camp yet, the coming weeks could bring the biggest opportunities of Kinsey's career. That starts with more offensive snaps and punt returns on Friday night against the New England Patriots.
Cut day around the NFL is August 29th. That is also Kinsey's 25th birthday. But even if Kinsey doesn't make the initial 53, he's a good candidate to be elevated in the weeks that follow.
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