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.
For Baltimore-Houston:
— #Ravens WR Zay Flowers, questionable with a shoulder injury, is expected to play.
— #Texans WR Diontae Johnson, just acquired via waivers, is planning to make his Houston debut in Week 18 vs. the #Titans. Today is too quick.— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 25, 2024
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.
Diontae Johnson is the best receiving talent you could hope to add to a roster in Week 15
He’s perfect for the Stefon Diggs/Tank Dell plays that this offense suddenly has a huge vacancy for.
Should play really well with C.J. Stroud #HTownMade pic.twitter.com/rejvYJInFT
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) December 23, 2024
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.
Welp this morning we should find out where Diontae Johnson is headed.
Would be a great Tank Dell replacement and over all could be a much needed spark for the passing game. On his Ravens situation, there’s always two sides to every story. Also an offense that is run first so… pic.twitter.com/8mIljxJ142
— big ounce (@_bigounce) December 23, 2024
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.