Tag: Diontae Johnson

Is Diontae Johnson playing Sunday? Latest updates for Texans new WR

Diontae Johnson will see action on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

The Houston Texans are at a crossroads entering Week 18 of the regular season.

Starters are expected to play against the Tennessee Titans, but the question is for how long? Texans coach DeMeco Ryans initially didn’t plan on playing starters, but after an abysmal outing against the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day, plans changed.

“For us right now, we’ve got to go play better,” Ryans said. “Our last outing on the field was not good enough. It was not representative of who we are. Defensively, offensively, just not a good representation of our team entirely. So we’ve got to go out and play better football.”

Among those who could miss the second half is wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Acquired off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens, Johnson is ready to make his Texans’ debut before the postseason.

Coaches and players believe he’ll elevate the passing attack for C.J. Stroud on Sunday in Nashville and throughout the postseason.

“Diontae Johnson, he’s gonna look real good out there for us,” Texans running back Joe Mixon said Thursday. “Incorporating him into the offense, I think that was major. I’ve played against him for years. I’ve obviously respected him as a football player.

“He learned the offense real fast. The way him and C.J. are clicking, I love to see. In terms of going into the postseason, you can never take that for granted.”

Diontae Johnson update

Johnson will play on Sunday at Nissan Stadium. Should the Texans pull out to a significant lead, Ryans will probably keep him in for the second half to get him acclimated to the system.

While new, the coaching staff has been impressed with Johnson’s attentiveness and work ethic. He’s been a staple in practice under a fresh start in Houston.

“With Diontae, adding him to our team, he’s a guy who has talent,” Ryans said. “He’s done it at a high level for other teams. He’s bounced around a little bit here. As I mentioned to him, he, of course, has a clean slate starting with me. It really doesn’t matter what has happened in the past or what the narrative is about you. You come here and everything is a fresh start. And so we’ll see how he can help us, what he can add to our team. on the field and off the field.”

Diontae Johnson stats

Before the trade to Baltimore, the Carolina Panthers acquired Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason. He had 30 catches for 257 yards and three touchdowns for Carolina when he was dealt to the Ravens.

With Baltimore, he played in only 39 snaps, collecting one catch for six yards.

Johnson told reporters earlier this week he’s excited to be back on the field in a culture that fits him best while looking for a fresh start.

“Team first,” Johnson said. “Everybody is about the team, I’m about the team, too. So I’m doing whatever the coach is asking me to do.”

Texans WR depth chart

With Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell on the season-ending injured reserve, the Texans have relied heavily on Nico Collins as the top threat. He’s expected to play the first half, needing just 32 yards to become the fourth player in franchise history to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.

Behind Johnson and Collins are Robert Woods, John Metchie III, and Xavier Hutchinson.

Bengals have their own WR drama ahead of Week 18 matchup vs Steelers

The Steelers face a Bengals team in Week 18 dealing with rookie WR Jermaine Burton’s latest drama, as he won’t travel with the team.

Fans of the Black and Gold have grown accustomed to wide receiver drama plaguing their beloved Pittsburgh Steelers.

From Antonio Brown to JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson, and now George Pickens, the Steel City just can’t catch a break when it comes to elite wide receivers squandering their talent with bad attitudes. However, it seems their Week 18 opponent, the Cincinnati Bengals, are dealing with some WR drama of their own.

Bengals rookie wide receiver Jermaine Burton, drafted with the 80th overall pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, entered the league with several character concerns.

Burton was previously made inactive for disciplinary reasons against the Las Vegas Raiders back in November, but it appears the rookie has yet to learn his lesson. On Friday, it was reported that he would not be traveling with the Bengals to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a “coach’s decision.”

The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to have caught a break, as the dangerous Cincinnati Bengals offense could now have a distraction plaguing the team heading into Week 18.

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Here’s why Joe Mixon is excited for new Texans WR Diontae Johnson’s debut

After watching Diontae Jonhson prove his upside as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Joe Mixon is ready to see what he provides as a teammate.

Joe Mixon spent seven seasons in the AFC North battling the Pittsburgh Steelers.

While he never was on the same field as him, the former Cincinnati Bengals running back got an up-close look at Diontae Johnson’s potential in the passing game.

Now, as teammates with the Houston Texans, Mixon is ready for the fans to see what Johnson can do when given space and a clear path to the end zone.

“I’m going to give y’all a treat: Diontae Johnson, he’s gonna look real good out there for us,” Mixon said Thursday. “Incorporating him into the offense, I think that was major. I’ve played against him for years. I’ve obviously respected him as a football player. For him to come in and us be able to uplift him, because he was struggling this year going from place to place and figuring out where he stands.”

Acquired off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens, Johnson is the hopeful missing link to the passing attack behind Nico Collins. Houston needs a constant secondary weapon with Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs sidelined with season-ending injuries.

Johnson, who will play for his fourth team in 12 months on Sunday when the Texans take on the Tennessee Titans, just wants a fresh start after an unsettling end in Baltimore.

“He came in here ready to grind, ready to work. We love that as a Texans organization, as a team,” Mixon said of the 2021 Pro Bowler. “I love that a guy will give his all and do everything the right way.

“In terms of going into the postseason, you can never take that for granted.”

The Texans (9-7) were willing to take a risk on Johnson, given their need at receiver. When in a groove, the former third-round pick has the upside of a 1,000-yard playmaker and leading receiver.

Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik praised Johnson’s ability to separate and win as a route-runner. That was evident during his time in Carolina, where he averaged 11.9 yards per route and totaled 30 catches in seven games.

That’s the version Houston hopes to have on Sunday and in the postseason. Johnson knows even in a limited time with the team, he can be that same separator.

“I bring a lot of value, just my ability to get open and create space,” Johnson said. “And just my YAC ability after I catch the ball and add another weapon to the rest of the guys here, just being another weapon and making the offense that much better.”

Kickoff from Nissan Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.

Texans WR Diontae Johnson talks about his time with the Ravens

Texans WR Diontae Johnson talks about his time with the Ravens

Former Pro Bowl wide receiver Diontae Johnson has been on his fourth team since a year ago. Johnson started the season in Carolina after the Pittsburgh Steelers traded him to the Panthers in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson and the 178 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

After just seven games in Carolina, the 28-year-old Johnson was traded to the Baltimore Ravens along with a 2025 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. Johnson’s play on the field was not an issue for the Panthers, but something else appeared to be bubbling under the surface for Carolina to trade him for such a small return.

The Ravens’ offense was firing on all cylinders at the time, leading to questions as to how another top wide receiver would fit into the equation with starting receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman and tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely taking the majority of the passing targets.

Such questions were correct with each passing week that saw Johnson relegated to a minuscule number of offensive snaps. This led to the moment that ultimately ended Johnson’s short stint in Baltimore as he refused to enter the game against the Philadelphia Eagles as a form of protest following an injury to Bateman. The Ravens suspended the veteran receiver for one game following the incident, later waiving Johnson on December 20, ahead of their game against Johnson’s original team, the Steelers. Johnson’s tenure in Baltimore ended with just one catch for six yards.

Three days later, Johnson was claimed by the Houston Texans. The Texans enter the playoffs with a decimated wide receiver corps, having lost both Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell to season-ending injuries, so Johnson may be able to find a role with his fourth team.

Johnson was asked about what happened with the Ravens.

“I just want to leave that in the past,” Johnson said. “I had a good time there. I got some good teammates over there.”

Diontae Johnson looking for ‘fresh start’ with Texans amid playoff run

Dionate Johnson is ready for a new step in his career as the hopeful No. 2 threat for the Houston Texans’ passing attack.

While Diontae Johnson’s tenure with the Baltimore Ravens came with a roller coaster of unplanned events, he’s looking for a fresh start and smooth sailing down with the Houston Texans.

“I’m going to leave that in the past. Fresh start here,” Johnson told reporters on Monday. “I had a good time there. I got some good teammates over there. Those relationships are still gonna be there. I’m trying to win games and go far in the playoff.”

Claimed off waivers ahead of the postseason, Johnson joins the Texans (9-7) for the final weeks of the 2024 season after being placed on waivers by Baltimore earlier this month. He looks to stabilize the passing attack as the No. 2 option behind Nico Collins en route to a postseason push.

But Johnson’s path to Houston differs compared to most players looking to shore up their chances for a ring. Two months ago, he was playing for the Carolina Panthers.

Now, he’s on his fourth team to close out 2024.

“We’ll see how he can help us, what he can add to our team on the field and off the field.” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said.

Houston needs stability at receiver entering the playoffs. Stefon Diggs is out for the season with a torn ACL. Earlier this month, Tank Dell suffered a season-ending knee injury that could force him to miss all of the 2025 campaign.

Enter Johnson, who was on pace for another Pro Bowl-esque season with the Carolina Panthers. In seven games before being traded to the Ravens, the 2021 Pro Bowler led the NFC South franchise with 30 catches for 257 yards and three touchdowns.

“I feel like I add a lot of value in just my ability to get open, create space off the line and my YAC ability after I catch the ball,” Johnson said. “I keep the ball ahead of the sticks. Me adding that is just another weapon for the rest of the guys.

“Being another weapon makes the offense that much better.”

In Baltimore, he finished with one catch for a 6-yard gain. After refusing to play on Dec. 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Johnson was suspended for a game internally. He then was excused from the team for Week 15 before being released on Dec. 20.

“With Diontae, adding him to our team, he’s a guy who has talent. He’s done it at a high level,” Ryans said. “He’s bounced around a little bit here. It really doesn’t matter what’s happened in the past, or what the narrative is about. You come here and everything is a fresh start.”

The Texans hope to get the version of Johnson that caught fire in Charlotte for the remainder of the 2024 season. While he’s only spent a week in Houston, Johnson said he could sense a difference in the locker room dynamics.

“Everybody is about the team, I’m about the team too,” Johnson said. “So I’m doing whatever the coach is asking me to do.”

Houston can’t move out of the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoff picture, but it can clinch a second 10-win season under Ryans with a victory on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

Johnson is expected to play along with the rest of the Texans’ starters. Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.

WATCH: New Texans WR Diontae Johnson takes field for first time

Diontae Johnson will hopefully be the solution for the Houston Texans’ passing game.

Diontae Johnson hopes to solve the Houston Texans‘ woes in the pass-catching department en route to a playoff run.

His impact should be felt starting on Monday.

Johnson, who was claimed off waivers last week from the Baltimore Ravens, took the field for the first time in Houston as the team prepares for its season finale showdown with the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.

Johnson, who will wear the No. 82, is expected to make his Texans’ debut before the team’s playoff run in two weeks.

Here’s a look at him taking the field outside of NRG Stadium for the first time.

The Ravens acquired Johnson in a trade with the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 29, but he played only 39 snaps in four games, catching one pass for 6 yards. After refusing to play in a Dec. 1 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, he was suspended for a game and later excused from team activities last week.

The Texans, who will be without both Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell for their playoff, are hopeful of landing the version of Johnson that thrived in Charlotte. In seven games with the Panthers, the former third-round pick led the Panthers with 30 catches for 257 yards and three touchdowns in seven games.

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT. The game will be locally televised on CBS.

Is Diontae Johnson playing vs. Ravens today? Latest updates for Texans WR

Will Diontae Johnson see the field on Wednesday afternoon when the Houston Texans take on the Baltimore Ravens?

Diontae Johnson might be the next top weapon for the Houston Texans amid a playoff run.

He could be why Houston wins its second postseason game under the DeMeco Ryans-C.J. Stroud regime in front of fans at NRG Stadium in early January.

But will the recently acquired Baltimore Ravens pass-catcher take the field on Christmas Day against his former team at NRG Stadium?

Here’s the latest surrounding Johnson’s status for Wednesday’s showdown

Diontae Johnson update

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Johnson won’t debut in a Texans’ uniform until Week 18’s road trip against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on Jan.5.

While Houston needs a secondary receiver, it’s too early to expect much from Johnson, who was claimed off waivers Monday afternoon.

That doesn’t mean that Johnson won’t get a chance to seek revenge on his former roster. If the season were to end today, the Texans would clinch the No. 4 seed and host the Ravens once more in the wild-card round next month.

It was all a long for Johnson to play. When asked about adding a receiver following a season-ending injury to Tank Dell, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said it wasn’t off the table, though it would be challenging to get them involved in a gameplan by the end of Tuesday’s walkthrough.

“It’s hard to add anyone when we play in two days,” Ryans said Monday. “It’s unrealistic that someone is coming in and playing for us on Wednesday. We’re rolling with what we have and what we have is good. I really like all of our guys.”

Diontae Johnson’s future role

The Ravens waived Johnson on Friday, ending his drama-filled seven weeks with the team. Johnson, 28, was suspended for one game after he refused to play in a Dec. 1 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

He then was excused from team activities last week.

Still, the Texans are hopeful they’ll get the version of Johnson Baltimore traded for back in October amid a playoff run over the next month. Talent-wise, he’s a reliable target capable of turning into a quality No. 1 threat in any passing attack.

Ryans said that while the loss of Dell stings, he likes the talent returning behind Nico Collins at receiver on a short week. John Metchie III is expected back after missing Saturday’s game with a shoulder injury.

“[I] like how our guys work and they understand what we’re asking of them and we’re going to go out and compete,” Ryans said.

Diontae Johnson stats

Before being traded to Baltimore, Johnson served as the Carolina Panthers’ top target, hauling in 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games.

He also collected over 100 receptions and 1,110 yards during the 2021 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A 2019 third-round pick out of Toldeo, Johnson has totaled 422 receptions for 4,726 yards and 28 touchdowns in six seasons with the Steelers, Panthers and Ravens.

Kickoff from NRG Stadium is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Is Diontae Johnson playing vs. Ravens today? Latest updates for Texans WR

Diontae Johnson won’t face the Ravens in Week 17 as the Texans are holding the veteran WR out until Week 18 against the Titans

After two teams felt Diontae Johnson was not worth the headache, the former Steelers, Panthers, and Ravens wide receiver could have a significant role in the AFC playoffs.

Johnson has landed with Houston via waivers. If the postseason starts today, the No. 4 seeded Texans will host Lamar Jackson and the Ravens on Christmas Day and again on Wild Card weekend. 

Johnson was waived ahead of the Ravens’ game against Pittsburgh, with the Texans and Chiefs among the expected pursuers.

Ian Rapoport reports that Johnson will wait a week to make his debut, choosing the regular season finale against Tennessee.

The Ravens initially suspended Johnson before waiving the disgruntled wide receiver. With matchups against Texans and Browns remaining, Baltimore’s front office and Johnson initially agreed that Johnson would stay away from the team.

Johnson didn’t play a down in the Ravens’ 24-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and was suspended after refusing to enter the contest with Rashod Bateman injured.

Johnson, 28, led the Carolina Panthers in receptions (30), receiving yards (357), and touchdown catches (three) through the first seven games before being dealt to Baltimore on Oct. 29. The Ravens sent a fifth-round pick to Carolina for Johnson and a sixth-round selection. It was considered a low-risk move because the Panthers picked up most of Johnson’s remaining salary, leaving Baltimore to pay about $625,000.

In Johnson’s first game with the Ravens on Nov. 7, he caught one pass for Baltimore while playing five snaps. Over his next three games, Johnson was targeted three times with no receptions while participating in 17 snaps.

Johnson, A third-round pick in 2019 by the Steelers, has totaled 422 catches for 4,726 yards and 28 touchdowns for Pittsburgh, Carolina, and Baltimore.

Will new Texans WR Diontae Johnson play vs. former team on Christmas?

Diontae Johnson might be headed to Houston, but will the Texans have him suit up on Wednesday to take on his former team?

Diontae Johnson might be a member of the Houston Texans, but his impact on Wednesday’s Christmas matchup against his former team could be scarce.

One could argue that it’ll be invisible.

With the Texans being on a short week and Johnson being claimed off waivers Monday afternoon, it seems unlikely that the former Baltimore Ravens pass-catcher will see action against Lamar Jackson and the AFC North franchise at NRG Stadium.

When asked about adding a receiver following a season-ending injury to Tank Dell, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said it wasn’t off the table, though it would be challenging to get them involved in a gameplan by the end of Tuesday’s walkthrough.

“It’s hard to add anyone when we play in two days,” Ryans said Monday. “It’s unrealistic that someone is coming in and playing for us on Wednesday. We’re rolling with what we have and what we have is good. I really like all of our guys.”

Johnson, 29, was waived by the Ravens last week after he refused to play in their Week 13 game against the Eagles. He spent seven weeks with the team but only played in four games.

Still, the Texans are hopeful they’ll get the version of Johnson Baltimore traded for back in October amid a playoff run over the next month. Talent-wise, he’s a reliable target capable of turning into a quality No. 1 threat in any passing attack.

Before being traded to Baltimore, Johnson served as the Carolina Panthers’ top target, hauling in 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games. He also collected over 100 receptions and 1,110 yards during the 2021 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ryans said that while the loss of Dell stings, he likes the talent returning behind Nico Collins at receiver on a short week. John Metchie III is expected back after missing Saturday’s game with a shoulder injury.

“[I] like how our guys work and they understand what we’re asking of them and we’re going to go out and compete,” Ryans said.

A 2019 third-round pick out of Toldeo, Johnson has totaled 422 receptions for 4,726 yards and 28 touchdowns in six seasons with the Steelers, Panthers and Ravens.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Texans weren’t only team in AFC playoff interested in former Ravens WR Diontae Johnson

Dionate Johnson is a Houston Texan, but another team wanted his services en route to a postseason bid.

Tank Dell’s season-ending knee injury put the Houston Texans in a bind. Luckily, a former No. 1 receiver was on the market at the proper moment.

Houston claimed former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Diontae Johnson off waivers ahead of its Christmas Day matchup with the AFC North franchise on Monday afternoon.

While Johnson might be headed to Houston, the Texans weren’t the only playoff-caliber roster interested in adding the disgruntled Ravens star. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Los Angeles Chargers also put in a waiver claim for Johnson, thus creating the Harbaugh-to-Harbaugh bridge once more.

So, why did the Texans land Johnson? Based on the waiver order, Houston had top priority. Once you add in that both Dell and two-time All-Pro Stefon Diggs are out for the year, it makes sense why one team needed him a bite more.

The Ravens waived Johnson on Friday, ending his underwhelming seven weeks with the team. Baltimore suspended him for one game after he refused to play in a loss against the Philadelphia Eagles last month. He was then excused from all team activities last week.

Houston is hoping to get the version of Johnson the Ravens traded before back in October from the Carolina Panthers. As Bryce Young’s top weapon, Johnson had 30 catches for 257 yards and three touchdowns for Carolina when he was dealt for a fifth-round pick after seven games.

A third-round draft pick out of Toledo in 2019 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Johnson has totaled 422 catches for 4,726 yards and 28 touchdowns for Pittsburgh, Carolina and Baltimore.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium.