Diontae Johnson

Texans Claim WR Diontae Johnson

Stefon Diggs‘ injury did not prompt the Texans to act at wide receiver. Tank Dell‘s will. The AFC South champions are adding to their receiver room, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting they have claimed Diontae Johnson.

This will be Johnson’s second revenge game in two months, but the Houston fit also suddenly proves vital for the veteran wide receiver’s long-term value. Johnson’s refusal to enter the Ravens’ Week 13 game brought a suspension, and the AFC North team did not bring the trade acquisition back for Week 15. The parties officially separated late last week, sending Johnson to waivers.

[RELATED: Chargers Tried To Claim Diontae Johnson]

At this point, Johnson is a rather volatile investment. He sought exits from Pittsburgh and Carolina this year, seeing both teams move on. While backup-level players have journeyed to four teams in one year before, it is quite rare for a player of Johnson’s caliber to do so. How Johnson fares in Houston will help shape his 2025 free agent market, which has likely taken a substantial hit after the events of this year.

Beyond Johnson’s recent issues, he has been one of this decade’s best at creating separation. The former third-round pick ranked in the top four in ESPN’s Open Score metric each year from 2019-22, leading the league twice in that span. Johnson was among the league’s top target-commanding wideouts during his time in Pittsburgh, drawing at least 140 looks from 2020-22. Delivering his only 1,000-yard season during Ben Roethlisberger‘s 2021 finale, Johnson eventually wore out his welcome in Pittsburgh. But he has shown an ability to create space; that will be important for a Texans team that has lost two of its top three receivers.

The Texans’ Christmas Day game against the Ravens will be rather interesting now, as Johnson will see a team he recently clashed with immediately after being claimed. It may not be a lock Johnson plays, but with the Texans so shorthanded post-Diggs and Dell, he may have a limited role.

Tertiary status played a central role in Johnson’s Baltimore exit; the sixth-year receiver was believed to be dissatisfied playing behind the Ravens’ Zay FlowersRashod BatemanNelson Agholor trio. But Baltimore did not move the trade pickup into its top three; Johnson maxed out at 17 snaps in a game as a Raven. After an extended break post-Christmas, Johnson may see an expanded opportunity in Houston, as the Texans will need a proven pass catcher to complement Nico Collins as they prepare for a home playoff game.

It will be interesting to learn if any other teams claimed Johnson. The Chargers and Chiefs came up as potential landing spots via a claim. Houston was comfortably ahead of Kansas City for priority and this will prevent the two-time reigning champions from further adding to their wideout room. Though, Marquise Brown‘s return does give the Chiefs a nearly full depth chart, with DeAndre Hopkins having replaced Rashee Rice.

The Steelers have been lacking at receiver during George Pickens‘ hamstring-driven absence. The team that initially moved on from Johnson this year was not expected to make an effort to reacquire him, per veteran Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly. Pittsburgh has Mike Williams and Calvin Austin in place as Pickens complementary options, and the team’s top weapon is expected back to face the Chiefs on Christmas.

Johnson could make his Texans debut shortly after that Chiefs-Steelers game wraps, and while he did only catch one pass as a Raven, it is notable he played a regular role with the Panthers this season. Although he fell out of favor in Charlotte, Johnson caught 30 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns with the Panthers. The NFC South team moved on from him for a surprisingly cheap return — a pick-swap deal involving fifth- and sixth-round choices — and agreed to pay much of the salary. As a result, the Texans are adding Johnson for next to nothing.

This will help a Texans team in the same predicament as 2023’s squad, as Dell has suffered a season-ending injury for the second straight year. Houston has the likes of Robert Woods, John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson as fill-in options. While Woods is a more decorated receiver, he is also 32. Johnson is 28 and will be playing to improve his 2025 market.

Though, this claim gives the Texans exclusive negotiating rights with Johnson until March 10. With Diggs a free agent-to-be and Dell set to rehab two significant injuries (ACL tear, dislocated kneecap), how Johnson performs as a Texan may influence the organization’s thinking at receiver.

Chargers Tried To Claim Diontae Johnson

The Chargers came up as a team that was on the radar to claim Diontae Johnson. Hours after that report, the Texans lost Tank Dell to another season-ending injury. The end zone fall that ended Dell’s second season appears to have affected the Bolts’ receiver plans.

Johnson is Houston-bound, having been claimed by the Texans ahead of their Christmas Day matchup against Johnson’s most recent team. As Johnson prepares to potentially face the Ravens, the Chargers saw their chances to land him denied. The Bolts were the only other team to submit a claim, ESPN.com’s Field Yates reports. The Texans carrying the slightly weaker strength of schedule gave them the advantage among these two 9-6 AFCers, as The Athletic’s Daniel Popper reminds.

This waiver effort after the Chargers and Panthers discussed Johnson at the deadline, The Bolts also . Though, a low-level Ravens offer — a pick swap involving fifth- and sixth-rounders — was believed to be the best the Panthers received. The trade backfired on Baltimore quickly.

Although both the Chargers and Texans are 9-6, the latter held the waiver priority. This could be significant for a Chargers team that has depended on second-round rookie Ladd McConkey this season. McConkey has battled injuries, most notably missing the Bolts’ rematch with the Chiefs, but emerged as their clear No. 1 target. Johnson could have given Los Angeles another proven option ahead of a likely playoff berth, albeit a rather volatile option based on how uneven his 2024 has been.

Traded twice, Johnson asked out of both situations (Pittsburgh and Carolina) and refused to enter Baltimore’s Week 13 game against Philadelphia. The Ravens suspended the sixth-year vet and then cut him. Known for his separation skills (and drop issues), Johnson caught just one pass in four Ravens games after being acquired in a low-end pick-swap trade at the trade deadline.

Jim Harbaugh‘s first offseason in L.A. led the Bolts to trade Keenan Allen and cut Mike Williams, ending a seven-year partnership. The Chargers were connected to potentially reacquiring Williams at the deadline, but the Steelers sent the Jets a fifth-round pick to do so. Los Angeles stayed the course at receiver, keeping the likes of Josh Palmer and Quentin Johnston in place as McConkey complements.

Palmer’s 543 yards sit second among Chargers, but McConkey has amassed 960 in his rookie year. He is poised to become the first Charger rookie since Allen (2013) to post a 1,000-yard receiving season. Still, Justin Herbert is short on weapons in an offense that also has not seen much from its tight ends in the passing game. Palmer is due for free agency, and a pre-deadline report pointed to the sides being likely to separate come March. Johnston is also at best a work in progress, having not yet justified his 2023 draft slot while first-round peers Jordan Addison, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Zay Flowers have been better options for their respective teams. Johnston has totaled 477 yards and eight touchdowns, however, showing more than he did as a rookie. For now, the TCU alum remains in the Chargers’ plans.

It would seem Harbaugh’s second offseason will require an addition at receiver and perhaps help at tight end, the coach’s run-game interest notwithstanding. Johnson would have provided an interesting player on that front, as the Bolts would have secured exclusive negotiating rights with him until March 10 had the claim gone through. The Texans now hold those rights, as Johnson will attempt to salvage some free agency value amid his worst NFL season.

WR Diontae Johnson Likely To Be Claimed

As Diontae Johnson prepares to join his third team of the 2024 campaign, the wide receiver might not have the chance to choose his landing spot. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Johnson is unlikely to pass through waivers.

[RELATED: Ravens Waive WR Diontae Johnson]

Johnson can be claimed on Monday. Schefter points to the Chargers and Chiefs as potential landing spots, although both of those squads sit toward the bottom of the waiver order. Schefter notes that Johnson might not even makes it that far, especially since a claim carries little financial risk. Either way, it seems unlikely the embattled receiver will make it all the way to free agency.

After spending five productive seasons in Pittsburgh, Johnson was traded to Carolina this past offseason. The impending free agent maintained his production despite the change in scenery, hauling in 30 catches in seven games. However, with the Panthers struggling to compete, the wideout was firmly on the trade block, and he was eventually dealt to Baltimore for a late-round swap.

Johnson’s issues at his latest stop have been well chronicled. After hauling in a single catch through his first four games with the Ravens, the wideout refused to enter the team’s Week 13 contest. Johnson was subsequently suspended for the Ravens’ Week 15 game, and he was waived a few days after that suspension ended.

Considering the receiver’s upside (including a 1,200-yard campaign in 2021), it’s not a huge surprise that Johnson will command interest on the waiver wire. The Chargers have lost some WR depth throughout the 2024 campaign, but their top three of Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Joshua Palmer remain intact. In Kansas City, the Chiefs are set to get reinforcement at the position with Marquise Brown returning from injury. While Rashee Rice went down with a season-ending injury, the team has since acquired DeAndre Hopkins to pair with first-round WR Xavier Worthy. In other words, if Johnson is claimed by either of these teams, he may have a tough time carving out a role with only a couple of games remaining on the schedule.

Ravens Waive WR Diontae Johnson

The Ravens have cut the cord. After suspending Diontae Johnson and then announcing he would not return to the team, Baltimore is done with the trade acquisition.

Johnson is now on the waiver wire. Teams will have until 3pm CT on Monday to claim the former Steelers and Panthers wideout, who has submitted an eventful (mostly for the wrong reasons) 2024.

Johnson arrived in Baltimore by way of Carolina for a fifth-round pick in the 2025 draft. The Panthers also sent a sixth-rounder back to the Ravens and ate most of Johnson’s salary to facilitate the deal. The Ravens hoped that Johnson could contribute to their offense, but he was unhappy with a peripheral role behind Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Mark Andrews. Johnson was active for the Ravens’ first four games after he was traded, but recorded just one catch for six yards on five targets.

Tensions with his new team reached a boiling point in Week 13, when Johnson refused to enter the game against the Eagles after Bateman went down with an injury. The Ravens responded by suspending Johnson for their next game, a Week 15 blowout of the Giants. Unlike the 49ers and De’Vondre Campbell, who joined Johnson in refusing to enter a game recently, this partnership will end via an exit (Campbell received a three-game suspension). Johnson, 28, would stand to draw consideration from WR-needy teams; of course, his value has plummeted considerably over the past several months.

A 1,000-yard receiver with the Steelers, Johnson served as Ben Roethlisberger‘s final No. 1 wide receiver. He regularly showed elite separation ability, commanding more than 140 targets each year from 2020-22. Though, Johnson did display drop and effort issues in Pittsburgh. He famously did not score a touchdown in 2022, but much of that was on the struggling Kenny Pickett‘s shoulders as opposed to the high-end route runner. Johnson had sought a trade out of Pittsburgh, but even after receiving it, he then pushed for a way out of Charlotte. The Panthers obliged, even though the return proved low. Johnson’s path to a fourth 2024 team figures to be cloudier, and his 2025 route has undoubtedly changed because of his recent actions.

Johnson catching one pass in four Ravens games could have been written off as a poor fit, but his refusal to enter Baltimore’s Week 13 contest may be a dealbreaker for many teams. This incident likely did major damage to Johnson’s 2025 free agency value as well. His track record in Pittsburgh and consistent ability to separate would have made the former third-rounder a coveted commodity next year, even if a top-market deal was unrealistic. Now, anything beyond a “prove it” deal might be as well.

The Steelers deviated from their usual trend at receiver, giving Johnson a multiyear extension (two years, $36.7MM). It was the organization’s first notable multiyear WR deal (not counting rookie pacts) since the 2017 Antonio Brown re-up. Otherwise, going back to Hines Ward would be necessary regarding Pittsburgh second contracts for starting wideouts. The organization’s exception for Johnson and his Panthers performance this year (30 catches, 357 yards, three touchdowns) seem like afterthoughts following the Toledo alum’s Ravens tenure.

Johnson being unable to be claimed until Monday would leave him eligible for just two regular-season game checks, creating a minimal sum — as was the case with Odell Beckham Jr.‘s Dolphins deal — for a claiming team to pay. No one claimed Beckham, who remains a free agent. While Johnson being four years younger may add intrigue, it would also not surprise to see him pass through to free agency and teams then reassessing before 2025.

Then again, it only takes one team here. As such, Johnson now waits for a potential third opportunity this season. The Ravens will move forward with their healthy Flowers-Bateman-Agholor trio, with Andrews having come on after a slow start, as they attempt to reach an elusive Super Bowl with Lamar Jackson at the controls.

Nikhil Mehta contributed to this post.

Diontae Johnson Will Not Rejoin Ravens This Week

As the Ravens prepare for their Steelers rematch, Diontae Johnson will not take part in a revenge game. Although Johnson played against the Steelers as a Raven previously, he has made next to no impact with his current team. The shifty wide receiver remains without a role in Baltimore.

The Ravens suspended Johnson for a game for refusing to enter the team’s Week 13 matchup against the Eagles. That suspension took effect in Week 15, and Johnson is eligible to return to the Ravens. He will not do so this week, the team announced. The Ravens are not classifying this as an extension of the wideout’s ban but rather a mutual agreement between the parties to remain separate. The sides are “working through their options,” per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo.

It would seem the Ravens are aiming to avoid cutting Johnson and making him available to another contending team on waivers. The 49ers have gone through with a three-game suspension for De’Vondre Campbell for refusing to enter their Week 15 game. At this stage of his career, Campbell would not make the kind of difference to a contender Johnson would. As such, it appears Baltimore is stashing the former Pittsburgh WR1 right now.

There are reasons for doing things, front office-type reasons,” John Harbaugh said (via The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec) when asked why the team is not releasing Johnson. “I want to think about Pittsburgh and the guys who are going to be here getting ready to play Pittsburgh. That’s my focus 100%.”

Johnson has gone from the Steelers’ most targeted wideout to a player who showed flashes with the Panthers to a non-factor as a Raven. Baltimore let Odell Beckham Jr. walk this year and did not make significant additions at the position this offseason, bringing back its Zay FlowersRashod BatemanNelson Agholor trio. Beckham did secure his release from the Dolphins; he is available on waivers today. As of now, the Ravens are not letting Johnson go that easily.

A strong route runner who has consistently created separation (albeit with drop trouble mixed in at points), Johnson would have conceivably brought an interesting chess piece in Todd Monken‘s offense. No such role emerged, as Johnson has catch for six yards in four games with Baltimore. This comes after Johnson caught 30 passes for 357 yards with Carolina this season. Not exactly viewing receiver as a need, the Ravens still acquired Johnson due to the cheap price the Panthers ended up setting. Although the Ravens added Johnson in a pick-swap deal that saw Baltimore and Carolina exchange fifth- and sixth-rounders, this has been a troublesome partnership.

The Ravens may also look to tack games onto Johnson’s suspension, with the 49ers’ Campbell move serving as an eerie parallel given how rare an instance of a player refusing to enter a game is. It is safe to say this season has brought tremendous damage to Johnson’s 2025 free agency stock, as he sought exits from the Panthers and Steelers this year. The former third-round find is limping to the finish line on a Steelers-designed two-year, $36.7MM extension.

Ravens Suspend WR Diontae Johnson

The Ravens have suspended veteran wide receiver Diontae Johnson for one game, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

General manager Eric DeCosta issued the following statement on the team’s decision, one that stems from Johnson refusing to enter the team’s Week 13 game against the Eagles.

“We have made the difficult decision to suspend Diontae Johnson for our upcoming game against the New York Giants for conduct detrimental to the team,” DeCosta said. “Diontae’s suspension stems from refusing to enter our game against the Philadelphia Eagles.”

DeCosta added that the Ravens would not have any additional comment on the situation moving forward.

Johnson did not play a single snap in the Ravens’ Week 13 loss to the Eagles despite a knee injury that knocked starter Rashod Bateman out of the game. Head coach John Harbaugh declined to elaborate on Johnson’s absence after the game, though his comments hinted at the sort of internal issue that DeCosta’s statement revealed.

Johnson has been active for all five games since his arrival in Baltimore, but only played 39 snaps on offense with just one catch for six yards on five targets. Bateman’s injury appeared to be an opportunity for the veteran wideout to see more targets from Lamar Jackson, but Johnson refused to enter the game, leading to his suspension. Nelson Agholor and Tylan Wallace filled in for Bateman instead, with Agholor unable to reel in his two targets while Wallace caught both of his for 14 yards.

The suspension continues a tumultuous contract year for Johnson in which he was averaging 51.0 yards per game in Carolina before his trade to the Ravens. Johnson quickly grew frustrated with his minimal role in Baltimore’s offense, though it is unclear why he would turn down the opportunity for more snaps when it arose.

The Ravens’ decision to suspend Johnson signals that the team is considering moving on from the veteran receiver. Baltimore still thinks that Johnson “could help them down the stretch,” according to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz, especially if Bateman misses time. However, a team with strong playoff chances and Super Bowl aspirations needs “everyone to be fully committed and team-focused,” per Schultz, forcing the Ravens to determine if Johnson is worth keeping around.

Baltimore has some time to weigh their options with a bye week before their Week 15 matchup against the Giants in which Johnson will be ineligible to play. Keeping him on the roster after the bye would indicate that the Ravens have resolved the situation with Johnson.

This is not the first internal issue the Ravens have dealt with this season. Marcus Williams has been reduced to a healthy scratch multiple times after his struggles in coverage, and Eddie Jackson was released after refusing to travel with the team to Pittsburgh in Week 11.

WR Diontae Johnson Facing Uncertain Ravens Future

The Ravens were among the teams which made a receiver addition ahead of the trade deadline, acquiring Diontae Johnson from the Panthers. The sixth-year veteran was happy to move on from Carolina after less than one campaign with the team, but it remains to be seen how long he will remain in Baltimore.

Johnson had a number of receivers ahead of him on the WR depth chart upon arrival with the Ravens. Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman have operated as starters, while Nelson Agholor and Tylan Wallace have been more involved than Johnson over the past several games. In five games since joining Baltimore, the former Steelers Pro Bowler has only managed one catch on five targets with no uptick in usage in sight.

“At this time, I’m going to have to wait just to clarify it,” head coach John Harbaugh said when asked about Johnson’s future (via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley). “There’s some moving parts there that we’re going to have to figure out and explore and just see where we’re at. I know that’s not the answer you want, but that’s the best I can do in fairness to everybody right now.”

Johnson dressed for the Ravens’ Week 13 loss to the Eagles, but even with Bateman suffering a knee injury he did not log a snap during the game. The 28-year-old represented a low-cost rental since he is a pending free agent and the Panthers retained most of his remaining 2024 salary to pull off the deal. Expectations were therefore low from the beginning, but Johnson’s lack of usage coupled with Harbaugh’s remarks have led to questions about his Baltimore tenure ending even before the regular season concludes.

Bateman’s knee injury is not believed to be serious, and with the Ravens on their bye in Week 14 he may be recovered in time for the team’s next game. Provided he and Flowers remain healthy, Johnson will be set to continue as a complementary option on an offense which also relies on tight end Mark Andrews in the passing game and Derrick Henry on the ground. As Baltimore considers roster moves over the coming days, it will be interesting to see if more clarity emerges in Johnson’s case.

Ravens Do Not Anticipate Major Role For Diontae Johnson

The Ravens were happy when they landed Diontae Johnson at the trade deadline, but the veteran wide receiver is not expected to step into a major role in Baltimore’s offense this season.

Johnson’s acquisition was more about value, versatility, and depth. The Ravens only had to give up a fifth-round pick for Johnson and a sixth-round pick from the Panthers, with Carolina eating most of the wideout’s remaining salary. Based on current draft pick projections, Baltimore essentially moved back about 20 spots in the 2025 draft to add Johnson to their roster, a pittance for a receiver with a career average of 54.3 yards per game.

The Ravens believed that Johnson was “too good a player to pass up” for such a low price, though they did not make the trade expecting Johnson to immediately slide into a starting role, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano. Instead, he provides veteran depth as insurance for injuries to Zay Flowers or Rashod Bateman while giving the Ravens “a chance to use more three-receiver sets than they usually do, should they want to go that route.”

Flowers and Bateman have been firmly entrenched as Baltimore’s starting wideouts this year with a healthy dose of heavy personnel looks on offense with fullback Patrick Ricard and tight ends Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, and Charlie Kolar. Johnson’s main path to more playing time is obvious passing downs that require three receivers, though the Ravens rely on their league-leading rushing attack with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry to keep them out of such situations.

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken hinted at the difficulty of working Johnson into the offense.

“It’s not easy for him,” said Monken. “We’re going to continue to try to find ways to get him on the field, but we haven’t really lost anybody, we’re doing pretty good with the guys we’ve got.”

Monken has a point: Baltimore leads the NFL with 4,731 yards and 7.0 yards per play this season, with significant gaps between them and the second-ranked teams. Johnson still has the talent to contribute, but the Ravens won’t go away from what’s worked this season.

Diontae Johnson Sought Exit From Panthers

Panthers general manager Dan Morgan revealed that Diontae Johnson “wanted a change of scenery” before he was dealt to the Ravens at the end of October, per Joe Person of The Athletic.

Morgan also indicated that the desire to part ways was mutual in a recent press conference.

“We felt at the end of the day that it was best for the team and best for Diontae that we both part ways and get the compensation there that we got,” said Morgan, according to team reporter Kassidy Hill.

The Panthers received a 2025 fifth-round pick in exchange for Johnson and a 2025 sixth-rounder while eating a significant portion of the wideout’s contract. The Ravens will only owe Johnson the veteran minimum salary for the remainder of the season.

This is the second time in eight months that Johnson has sought a trade away from his current team. He first arrived in Carolina in March after requesting a trade from the Steelers, who sent him to the Panthers along with a seventh-round pick for cornerback Donte Jackson and a sixth-rounder.

Overall, the Panthers’ two trades involving Johnson turned Jackson and two sixth-round picks into fifth- and seventh-rounders plus seven games, 357 receiving yards, and three touchdowns from the 28-year-old. Jackson, meanwhile, is tied for sixth in the NFL with three interceptions, one shy of his career-high.

Diontae Johnson Addresses Ravens Trade; WR Unlikely To Serve As Starter?

The Ravens are among the teams which have made an addition at the receiver spot. Baltimore added Diontae Johnson from the Panthers by agreeing to a Day 3 pick swap in which Carolina retained much of his remaining salary.

Given the low acquisition cost on the part of the Ravens, expectations will be tempered for Johnson upon arrival. The 28-year-old was long considered one of the top options at the receiver position available via trade, with a mid-round pick once being the asking price. Carolina’s willingness to take only a minor upgrade in draft capital while absorbing most of Johnson’s outstanding compensation speaks to the mutual desire of both parties to move on.

“Once I found out where I was going, I was excited,” the Toledo product confirmed when asked about his acquisition by the Ravens (via Clifton Brown of the team’s website). “Sigh of relief. I’m ready to work.”

With three seasons of at least 882 receiving yards on his resume, Johnson brings not only experience to the Ravens’ receiving corps but also a notable pedigree compared to the the team’s other options at the position. Baltimore has recent first-rounders Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman on their way to career highs in production, but adding another target – especially in the event either member of that pairing were to miss signficant time – represents a reasonable move. It remains to be seen how involved Johnson will be once he acclimates Baltimore’s offense.

On that point, veteran insider Josina Anderson reports the Johnson acquisition is not expected to result in a reduction in Flowers’ or Bateman’s workloads. Baltimore rarely uses three-receiver sets, and with all three of the team’s tight ends (Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar) along with fullback Patrick Ricard healthy that should remain the case moving forward. Johnson – whose most productive campaign came in 2021 with 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns – will slot in ahead of Nelson Agholor for the WR3 gig in that scenario.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh added the team is considering using Johnson as a punt returner. Deonte Harty is currently on IR due to a knee injury, creating a need on special teams. Johnson has not handed return duties since the first two years of his career (having also done so in college), and that may be his best path to signficant usage with his newest team. As a pending free agent, his production in any and all capacities will be key in determining his market value.