Diontae Johnson Joins Houston Texans After Stint with Ravens

Diontae Johnson will be contributing to an AFC playoff team after all – just not the Baltimore Ravens.

The wide receiver was claimed by the Houston Texans on Monday, just three days after he was waived by the Ravens.

Johnson, 28, was acquired by Baltimore in a deal ahead of the NFL trade deadline. At the time of the move, the sixth-year veteran led the Carolina Panthers with 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns. However, his frustration with the Panthers’ struggling offense became evident as the team slid to 1-7.

Johnson’s tenure with the Ravens, however, was underwhelming. In four games, he recorded just one catch for 6 yards. Matters worsened in Week 13 when Johnson refused to enter a game against the Philadelphia Eagles, leading to a one-game suspension by the team. After serving his suspension, Johnson remained away from team activities and was ultimately waived.

The Houston Texans saw an opportunity and claimed Johnson, potentially filling a significant gap in their offense. Houston’s wide receiver corps has been hit hard by injuries. Tank Dell suffered a season-ending knee injury during Saturday’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and Stefon Diggs was ruled out for the rest of the season following a torn ACL in late October.

Johnson’s arrival in Houston could provide the Texans with much-needed depth and experience as they gear up for the postseason. The Texans, who have already clinched the AFC South for the second consecutive season, will host the Ravens on Christmas, adding an extra layer of intrigue to Johnson’s first potential appearance with his new team.

As the Texans push forward, Johnson’s performance and integration into the offense will be closely watched. This fresh start could offer him a chance to reestablish himself as a key contributor during Houston’s playoff run.