It seems unlikely that new Houston Texans receiver Diontae Johnson will suit up this Wednesday against his former team.
Impossible? Not at all.
Johnson, who was claimed off waivers by the Texans Monday following the season-ending injury to Tank Dell, could take the field in a limited role on Wednesday when the Texans do battle on Christmas Day against the Baltimore Ravens.
Sure, he could run a few go routes, make a play on a post pattern and call it a day. Meanwhile, he’d be doing against the team that sent him packing less than two months after trading for him to be a staple of the offense en route to the playoffs.
Sources: With Tank Dell out, the Houston Texans have claimed former Ravens WR Diontae Johnson on waivers.
Johnson now will spend Christmas in the company of the Ravens, as Houston hosts Baltimore on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/uHsWqRZOTK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 23, 2024
But this isn’t the only time the two franchises could face off against one another before the end of the 2024 campaign. If the postseason started today, Houston, which clinched the AFC South, would serve as the No. 4 seed and host MVP favorite Lamar Jackson and Baltimore once more on wild-card weekend.
The Ravens initially suspended Johnson before waiving the disgruntled pass-catcher on Friday afternoon. This was after the veteran receiver refused to play during the 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this month.
Prior to joining Baltimore at the trade deadline, Johnson, 28, led the Carolina Panthers in with 30 catches for 357 receiving yards and three touchdown through the first seven games. He was shipped off to the Ravens in exchange for a future fifth-round pick.
A 2019 third-round pick out of Toldeo by the Steelers, Johnson has totaled 422 career catches for 4,726 yards and 28 touchdowns with Pittsburgh, Carolina, and Baltimore.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. as part of a Netflix double-header.