NFL

Bengals release Ke'Shawn Williams following pivotal muffed punt against Steelers

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Sep 29, 2026, 23:37 IST

The Cincinnati Bengals have parted ways with wide receiver Ke'Shawn Williams after his late-game error contributed to a 30-27 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mitch Tinsley has been signed to bolster the roster.

Bengals release Ke'Shawn Williams following pivotal muffed punt against Steelers

The Cincinnati Bengals have officially released wide receiver Ke'Shawn Williams, a decision that follows the team's narrow 30-27 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers this past Sunday. The move comes in the immediate aftermath of a critical fourth-quarter error by Williams, who muffed a punt that ultimately set the stage for the Steelers to secure the game-winning field goal.

Head coach Zac Taylor had hinted that personnel changes were likely during his post-game media availability on Monday. When questioned about the future of the wide receiver's role within the squad, Taylor noted that the coaching staff would need to have a serious conversation regarding the turnover, signaling that a roster shift was imminent.

Roster adjustments and wide receiver depth

In a corresponding move to address the vacancy and ongoing depth concerns, the Bengals have signed wide receiver Mitch Tinsley. The team has been forced to navigate a thin wide receiver room due to recent injury setbacks. Andrei Iosivas is currently sidelined on injured reserve following surgery on his thumb, while rookie Colbie Young is expected to miss at least one week of action due to a left knee injury.

The roster transaction marks a reversal of the team's decision-making from the preseason. During training camp, Williams had successfully secured a spot on the initial 53-man roster, edging out Tinsley. That summer competition was closely watched, as Tinsley had enjoyed a productive training camp in 2025 after spending the entirety of the previous season with the Cincinnati organization. Following his release during final cuts, Tinsley had spent time on the Houston Texans' practice squad before this return to the Bengals.

During his tenure with Cincinnati, Williams appeared in 17 games, starting four of them. Over that span, he recorded eight receptions for 116 yards and two touchdowns. The Bengals will now look to Tinsley to provide necessary support as they aim to recover from their first loss of the season and manage their current injury list.