Bengals bring back Mitch Tinsley, promote Tanner Hudson in roster shake-up

The Bengals brought wide receiver Mitch Tinsley back from Houston’s practice squad Tuesday and gave tight end Tanner Hudson a spot on their active roster, the team announced.

The moves put two familiar targets into Cincinnati’s receiving group. Tinsley spent last season and the most recent offseason with the Bengals before being waived at final cuts. He then spent the opening three games of 2026 on the Texans’ practice squad.

Tinsley’s return gives Cincinnati an experienced option while Andrei Iosivas is on injured reserve and rookie Colbie Young is sidelined for Sunday’s game against Jacksonville with a knee injury. Joe Burrow pointed Wednesday to Tinsley’s knowledge of the offense and the trust built during their previous work together. Those are reasons he can help with specific packages; the signing does not by itself establish a starting role or a fixed snap count.

Hudson had already contributed this season through two game-day elevations. He caught three passes for 17 yards before Tuesday’s promotion from Cincinnati’s practice squad.

The Bengals also placed cornerback Jalen Davis on injured reserve after he hurt his hamstring in the Week 3 game at Pittsburgh. Wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams was waived Tuesday after appearing in one of the first three games, but his time with Cincinnati did not end there: he cleared waivers and rejoined the practice squad Wednesday, September 30. That return did not restore him to the 53-man roster.

Two safeties joined the practice squad: rookie Isaiah Nwokobia, who was with Cincinnati earlier in the offseason, and Beau Brade. Brade has appeared in 26 regular-season games across spells with Baltimore and the New York Giants.