When the Washington Commanders signed wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley as an undrafted free agent after the 2023 NFL draft, he was an early favorite to make the 53-man roster.
The Commanders had an excellent top four receivers with Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown. But they needed depth behind their top guys. Veteran Byron Pringle signed ahead of training camp and quickly locked down a spot.
After a strong preseason, Tinsley and Dax Milne each made Washington’s 53-man roster. The Commanders didn’t want to risk losing Tinsley by exposing him to waiver, and, quite frankly, he earned it.
After he learned he made the roster, Tinsley spoke to the media last week.
“It felt really good to know that I made the team and all my hard work had paid off, but this is just the beginning, and I’m ready to get to work,” Tinsley said.
Tinsley then detailed, telling his mother he made the team.
“She started tearing up a little bit,” Tinsley said. My family, they were all happy for me; they gave me a group call the night before.”
Now that he’s officially on the roster, what’s next for Tinsley?
“This is only the beginning, this is a step in the right direction, but I’m nowhere near, I feel, like how good I could be or where I can get to in my game,” said. “But, as of right now, my role on my team, I just want to help my team however I can.”
Injuries happen in the NFL. So while Tinsley starts at the bottom of Washington’s wide receiver depth chart, that can change in a hurry.
He’ll be ready.
Commanders WR Mitchell Tinsley made the initial 53 man roster.
He's certainly happy, but not satisfied.
Tinsley said, "this is just the beginning, I'm ready to get to work" pic.twitter.com/CeReGdEOen
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) August 30, 2023