CLEVELAND _ The Bengals went with preseason phenom Mitchell Tinsley as one of their five wide receivers for Sunday's opener against the Browns here at Huntington Bank Field.
They also opted to go with four defensive tackles as newcomer Mike Pennel joined starters B.J. Hill and T.J. Slaton Jr., as well backup Kris Jenkins Jr., against a Browns offense expected to try and run the ball to protect 40-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco.
Head coach Zac Taylor also opted to go with five cornerbacks, four tight ends and eight offensive linemen, and in order to do it deactivated Marco Wilson, Cam Grandy and Matt Lee.
One of the active O-lineman, guard Dalton Risner, arrived last week.
To make room for Tinsley, Taylor deactivated second-year wide receiver Jermaine Burton. Burton, a 2024 third-round pick, was inactive for the fourth time in his career after he missed the middle of training camp and the final two preseason games with a knee injury. He had returned to practice in the two weeks leading up to opener and wasn't on the injury report.
Tinsley, who turns 26 next week, appeared in his third NFL game, first since 2023 with the Commanders, and came in looking for his first NFL catch. He capped off a mammoth training camp by going back to Washington in the preseason and catching two touchdowns from Jake Browning in a span of 20 seconds.
SLANTS AND SCREENS
Also deactivated Sunday were two defensive tackles, McKinnley Jackson, another third-rounder from 2024, and undrafted rookie Howard Cross III …
The Bengals had a batch of rookies making their NFL debut with at least two expected to start in second-rounder Demetrius Knight Jr. at linebacker, and third-round Dylan Fairchild at left guard …
First-rounder Shemar Stewart could also start, but is expected to play a lot on the defensive line …
Fourth-rounder Barrett Carter, at backup linebacker, and sixth-rounder Tahj Brooks, at backup running back, were expected to be frequently seen on special teams, as well as undrafted rookie long snapper William Wagner …
Backup safety P.J. Jules, who was on the practice squad all last year, is also expected to be a staple in the kicking game in his NFL debut.
See the best outfits from the Bengals as they arrive for Week 1 of the 2025 season against the Cleveland Browns, presented by Kroger.
QB Joe Burrow arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
WR Tee Higgins arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
DT Kris Jenkins Jr. arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
RB Tahj Brooks arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
OT Orlando brown Jr. arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
RB Chase Brown arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
S Geno Stone arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
LB Logan Wilson arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
DE Shemar Stewart arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
C Ted Karras arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
G Dylan Fairchild arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
DE Trey Hendrickson arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
DT B.J. Hill arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
WR Charlie Jones arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
DE Myles Murphy arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
TE Mike Gesicki arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
CB Cam Taylor-Britt arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
WR Andrei Iosivas arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
DT T.J. Slaton Jr. arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
DE Joseph Ossai arrives at Huntington Bank Field ahead of the Bengals Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
