The Houston Texans have found their Tank Dell replacement for the remainder of the 2024 season.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Texans have claimed former Baltimore Ravens pass-catcher Dionate Johnson off waivers Monday following Dell’s season-ending knee injury.
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
The best part? Johnson would have been in Houston this week since the Texans take on the Ravens Wednesday afternoon as part of a Christmas double-header on Netflix.
Johnson, who was acquired by the Ravens from the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 29, was expected to bolster a passing attack for reigning MVP Lamar Jackson amid a postseason run, but the two sides were at end during their brief marriage.
Earlier this month, Johnson was suspended by Baltimore for one game after he refused to play Dec. 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles. He was then excused from team activities this past week.
He was placed on waivers Friday and was expected to land elsewhere in the AFC. Besides causing multiple headaches for the Ravens, Johnson played 39 snaps in four games and totaled one catch for six yards.
A third-round draft pick in 2019 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Johnson has totaled 422 catches for 4,726 yards and 28 touchdowns for Pittsburgh, Carolina and Baltimore.
He’ll need to take over as the No. 2 option opposite Nico Collins with Dell and Stefon Diggs out.
The Texans are thin at receiver beyond Collins after also losing Diggs to a torn ACL earlier this season. After suffering a torn ACL and dislocated knee in Saturday’s 27-19 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston’s options were scarce.
John Metchie III, Robert Woods and Xavier Hutchinson are other receivers on the Texans’ depth chart. Jared Wayne could be called up from the practice squad for a third time on Wednesday, but the team would have to add him to the active roster following the matchup.
Before being traded to Baltimore, the Steelers shipped Johnson off to the Panthers last offseason for a mid-round pick. He totaled 30 catches for 257 yards and three touchdowns for Carolina in seven games.
Johnson will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.