Diontae Johnson

Ravens Claim Diontae Johnson; WR Will Not Play In Postseason

The latest turn in Diontae Johnson‘s journeyman 2024 season took place yesterday when he was waived by the Texans. The veteran wideout’s future for the remainder of the campaign has now been settled.

Johnson was claimed off waivers by the Ravens on Wednesday, per the transactions wire (h/t ESPN’s Adam Schefter). To be clear, this is merely a procedural move; he will not suit up for Baltimore over the remainder of the postseason. Like all waived players at this time of year, Johnson will not formally be awarded to the team until after the Super Bowl.

By virtue of being a Raven once the league year ends, Johnson departing on the open market could put Baltimore in line for a 2026 compensatory pick. More immediately, this move prevents the 28-year-old from becoming a free agent amongst the eight remaining playoff team. Had Johnson cleared waivers, an interested suitor could have brought him in as depth option on offense.

Considering how this campaign has played out, of course, it would have come as a surprise if any team had been particularly keen on bringing Johnson in for the stretch run. The former Steeler was traded to the Panthers this offseason, and his early production with Carolina was notable given the team’s offensive struggles. As the trade deadline approached, it became clear a deal sending the pending free agent elsewhere was likely, and he was sent to Baltimore.

That move resulted in sparse usage, however, something Johnson took issue with. After making only four appearances with the Ravens, he was waived and claimed by the Texans as part of their efforts to replace the injured Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell. Johnson played only one game during the regular season before taking part in last week’s wild-card contest, and his playing time (or lack thereof) was again an issue. The Toledo product’s latest departure came as no surprise, and it compounds what will already be a very poor free agent market this spring.

Now, Johnson will be able to turn his attention to free agency in March. Once his two-year, $36.71MM pact expires, it will be interesting to see how many teams are willing to entertain signing him.

Texans Waive WR Diontae Johnson

Diontae Johnson‘s latest NFL gig has proven to be short-lived. The Texans waived the veteran wideout today, per a team announcement. In another roster move, tight end Cade Stover has been placed on injured reserve.

This continues an astoundingly eventful year for Johnson, who entered the 2024 offseason as one of the NFL’s top route runners and as a player who could have commanded considerable value in free agency — once he reached that point. A year later, a receiver who had been attached to a two-year, $36.7MM contract has torpedoed his value by wearing out his welcome everywhere he has gone. And he has now traveled to many NFL cities.

A fourth team has now given up on him in a 10-month span. Traded from the Steelers and Panthers, Johnson has now seen the Ravens and Texans waive him. Two teams — the Texans and Chargersclaimed Johnson once Baltimore moved on last month. Johnson, 28, now appears headed to free agency. It is difficult to overstate the damage the sixth-year wideout has done to his NFL stock.

Following the Texans’ wild-card rout over the Chargers, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports Johnson was visibly upset and needed to be calmed down by teammates. Issues with his usage, the theme of his Baltimore tenure, resurfaced in Houston.

Johnson played 16 offensive snaps for the Texans, who used the former Steelers target commander on 22 plays against the Titans. Johnson caught one pass for 12 yards against the Bolts; he snared two passes for 12 yards against the Titans in Week 18. This usage reminded of the role the Ravens gave the depressed asset, and Johnson has voiced considerable displeasure about this participation downturn.

It should be expected Johnson will generate internal discussions from teams who need receiver help for 2025, but anything beyond a one-year “prove it” deal seems unrealistic at this point. Johnson’s regular production with the Steelers aside, it will be difficult for teams to divorce that from his tumultuous 2024 season. Johnson still resembled his Pittsburgh version in Carolina, averaging 51 yards per game (30 catches, 357 yards); that is in line with some of his lower-octane Steelers seasons. But he has either wanted to leave teams (Steelers, Panthers) or seen them move on from him (Ravens, Texans). That will be a tough sell for personnel departments moving forward.

Johnson had wanted the Texans to trade for him at the deadline, but the Ravens did so instead. The former Steelers third-round find griped about his playing time in Baltimore and eventually refused to enter a Ravens-Eagles game, leading to a suspension. After that one-game ban, the Ravens did not activate him for their Week 16 game against the Giants. Days later, Baltimore waived the sunk cost. While Johnson was connected to the Chargers and Chiefs, the Texans swooped in with a claim. DeMeco Ryans had praised Johnson as recently as last week. Ditto Joe Mixon, via Wilson. None of it ultimately mattered, and the former 1,100-yard Ben Roethlisberger target will seek a fifth NFL home soon.

The Texans have not seen C.J. Stroud take a step forward after his breakthrough rookie season, but in the 2023 No. 2 overall pick’s defense, he lost his No. 2 and No. 3 receivers — Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell — for the season. Dell’s injury, a severe knee setback that required ambulance transportation from Arrowhead Stadium in Week 16, prompted the Johnson claim. The Texans, however, used Robert Woods, John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson in front of Johnson in the wild-card round. That trio will again complement Nico Collins as the Texans aim to derail the Chiefs’ threepeat bid Saturday.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

AFC South Notes: Colts, Titans, Johnson

If Ryan Kelly has his way, he’ll continue his career in Indianapolis. However, the impending free agent center understands that there’s no guarantee that he’ll return to the only team he’s ever played for. Following the Colts‘ season finale, the former first-round pick discussed his future in the NFL…and he seemed to hint that his long stint with the organization may have come to an end.

“I just can’t be more thankful to be drafted here nine years ago,” Kelly said (via Mike Chappell of FOX59 in Indianapolis). “Two hours from home [in West Chester, Ohio]. Through the ups and downs. There’s not another place I’d rather be. Indy will always be home. … I love the horseshoe, man. It’s been an honor to represent it the right way.”

Despite 2024 representing his age-31 season, Kelly has continued to produce. He was named an alternate on this year’s Pro Bowl squad despite missing a chunk of games due to a knee injury. He also helped anchor a strong running attack, and considering his track record, he should attract plenty of interest as a free agent. While GM Chris Ballard has recently focused on retaining his own free agents, there’s a chance the organization is priced out of the Kelly sweepstakes. If that ends up being the case, the lineman is proud of his nine years in Indy.

“If I’m part of the team going forward, great,” Kelly said. “If not, it was an honor to wear the horseshoe.”

More notes out of the AFC South…

  • Sticking in Indy, wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. won’t require surgery for the fracture in his back, per Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star. The Colts WR recently revealed that he dealt with the injury for much of the 2024 season, and the issue was at one point expected to end his year prematurely. Instead, Pittman proceeded to get into 16 games with the Colts, although he finished with his fewest catches and receiving yards since his rookie campaign.
  • Nick Folk intends to add another season to his resume, as the kicker told Jim Wyatt of the Titans website that he intends to continue playing in 2025. The impending free agent also noted that he’d be interested in sticking with the Titans, where he’s led the NFL in field goal percentage in each of the past two years. The 17-year veteran hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down in recent years, and he should be a popular name on the free agent market this offseason.
  • Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is also interest in re-signing with the Titans, per Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com. The former UDFA has spent his entire career in Tennessee, and 2024 marked his most productive season with the organization. NWI found the end zone nine times this past year while hauling in 32 catches for 497 yards.
  • After inking a three-year contract with the Jaguars last offseason, Arik Armstead struggled to find his role, as the veteran finished with only a pair of sacks while starting one of his 17 appearances. After playing a rotational role on the edge in 2024, Armstead told reporters that he’s switching back to the interior in 2025. “I’m gonna switch back inside, which is what I wanted to do this season,” Armstead told reporters (including ESPN’s Michael DiRocco). “And I’m gonna be back playing [as the] elite player that I know I can be.” The veteran previously spent his entire career in San Francisco, and he spent his final two seasons with the 49ers primarily serving as a defensive tackle.
  • Diontae Johnson acknowledged that he had an issue with a lack of targets during his 2024 stops with the Panthers and Ravens, but the wideout believes he’s in a good spot with the Texans. In fact, Johnson admitted that he was hoping to join the Texans when the Panthers shopped him at the trade deadline. “I was excited because I wanted to come here before when I was about to get traded,” Johnson said (via Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston). “Now that I’m here, fresh start and I’m looking forward to playing.”

Free Agent Stock Watch: Diontae Johnson

Diontae Johnson’s first five seasons in the NFL saw him serve as a key figure in the Steelers’ passing attack. Receiving no fewer than 87 targets each campaign, it was not difficult to envision him remaining a central aspect of Pittsburgh’s offensive blueprint for years to come.

Johnson inked a two-year, $36.71MM extension in 2022 in a surprisingly short-term commitment on the part of team and player. The receiver market has erupted in recent years, with four-year pacts checking in at much higher annual rates in many cases. Johnson – one of several players on the offensive side of the ball who have been involved in incidents related to attitude and effort for the Steelers – requested a trade from Pittsburgh, though, and was dealt to Carolina ahead of the 2024 campaign.

That fresh start provided him the opportunity to work as a No. 1 option with the Panthers, a team which made several offseason moves aimed at improving on offense around quarterback Bryce Young. Johnson, 28, delivered relatively strong numbers (considering Carolina’s offensive woes) earlier in the year with three touchdowns and an 11.3 yards per catch average. The former Pro Bowler soon found himself involved in another change of scenery, however.

Johnson expressed an openness to working out a new Panthers deal, but the team did not show much urgency on that front. Ahead of the trade deadline, Carolina’s record led to calls on several pending free agents, and a willingness was shown to make changes at the WR spot with the Jonathan Mingo deal. Johnson was on board with a trade allowing him to join a contender, and one was worked out with the agreement which sent him to the Ravens. The Panthers absorbed most of his remaining compensation, but even a low acquisition cost did not yield a strong return Baltimore.

Making only four appearances with the Ravens, Johnson recorded just one reception. His refusal to enter a game in which starter Rashod Bateman was injured resulted in a one-game suspension. During the following week, the Toledo product was excused from the team before ultimately being waived. Johnson’s third team in 2024 will offer him the chance to produce in the playoffs and in doing so help recover his value to an extent.

In the wake of losing both Stefon Diggs – and, more recently – Tank Dell to ACL tears, the Texans put in a claim for Johnson. Nico Collins remains Houston’s top target, but a pathway exists for Johnson to carve out a complementary role in time for the wild-card round. He did not dress for a potential revenge game on Christmas Day against the Ravens, but Week 18 against the Titans will offer him the opportunity to get acclimated in advance of a home playoff contest soon after.

Regardless of how he fares in Houston, though, Johnson’s stock has clearly taken a major dive. As CBS Sports’ Joel Corry writes, the former third-rounder is likely on track for a ‘prove it’ pact in 2025. A one-year commitment from the Texans or another interested party will no doubt check in at a far lower rate than the $18.36MM AAV of his current deal. Diggs is a pending free agent given the removal of the post-2024 years on his contract upon arrival via trade from the Bills, but he could re-sign based on his strong showing before the injury.

Collins is on the books long term, while Dell remains attached to his rookie contract (although his availability for 2025 is in question). As a result, Johnson could very well find himself changing teams once again this spring. Even with an impressive outing this week and in the playoffs, it would be a surprise if he were to generate much interest given his multiple departures in 2024. Still, teams have shown a willingness to make notable commitments on one-year pacts at the receiver position.

As Corry notes, Mike Williams landed $10MM in base value on his Jets contract in free agency last year, while Marquise Brown secured $7MM guaranteed from the Chiefs. Both deals included incentives, although Williams’ performance in New York led to a deadline trade and Brown’s SC joint injury left him sidelined for most of the season. Those cases could lead to caution on the part of suitors this spring when Johnson hits the market.

Tee Higgins is on track to be the top free agent at the WR spot in March, and he and Diggs are joined by the likes of Chris Godwin, DeAndre Hopkins and Amari Cooper as notable wideouts on expiring deals. Johnson will not garner as much interest as those options, an illustration of the extent to which his stock has fallen in very short order after his Pittsburgh days.

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.