The Houston Texans made a key addition to their depleted wide receiver corps on Monday, claiming former Pittsburgh Steeler and Baltimore Raven Diontae Johnson off waivers. The move comes on the same day the team announced promising rookie receiver Tank Dell will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL and dislocated kneecap suffered in Week 16’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Johnson, a 2019 third-round pick out of Toledo, spent his first four NFL seasons in Pittsburgh, where he emerged as one of the league’s most productive young wideouts. The 26-year-old earned Pro Bowl honors in 2021 after posting career-highs with 107 receptions, 1,161 yards, and 8 touchdowns as Ben Roethlisberger’s go-to target in his final season.
Tumultuous Stint in Baltimore
After being traded to the Ravens in late October, Johnson’s tenure in Baltimore was short-lived and drama-filled. He played just 39 snaps across seven weeks with the team, recording a single 6-yard reception. The Ravens suspended Johnson for one game in early December after he refused to play in a matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Last week, Johnson was excused from team activities before ultimately being waived by the Ravens on Friday. His exit from Baltimore opens the door for a fresh start in Houston, where the Texans are in dire need of playmakers on the outside.
Opportunity Knocks in Houston
Beyond budding star Nico Collins, the Texans’ receiving room has been decimated by injuries this season. In addition to Dell’s devastating knee injury, offseason acquisition Stefon Diggs was also lost to a torn ACL earlier in the year. Johnson now has a prime opportunity to carve out a significant role alongside Collins in the Texans’ passing attack.
We’re excited to add a proven, productive receiver like Diontae to our squad. His experience and playmaking ability will be a valuable asset as we look to finish the season strong and build for the future.
– a statement from Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans
Johnson’s first chance to suit up for his new team will come this Sunday, in a Christmas Day matchup against none other than the Ravens. It’s poetic timing for the wideout to face his former squad just days after they sent him packing.
Looking Ahead to Free Agency
Set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, Johnson will aim to prove he still has plenty to offer prospective suitors. A strong finish to the 2024 campaign in Houston could set the stage for a return to the form that made him one of the game’s ascending young receivers in Pittsburgh.
- 2019-2022 with Steelers: 391 receptions, 4,363 yards, 25 touchdowns
- Pro Bowl selection in 2021: 107 catches, 1,161 yards, 8 touchdowns
If Johnson can recapture that Pro Bowl-caliber production and shed the baggage of his ill-fated Ravens stint, he could position himself for a lucrative payday on the open market. At just 26 years old, there’s plenty of reason to believe his best football is still ahead of him.
For now, Johnson’s focus will be on acclimating to his new surroundings in Houston and making an immediate impact for a Texans team looking to play spoiler down the stretch. His debut in Battle Red will be one of the major storylines to watch when Houston hosts Baltimore on Christmas afternoon.
