By Dianna Russini, Jelani Scott and Zach Powell
The Houston Texans claimed ex-Ravens receiver Diontae Johnson off waivers Monday two days before the team’s Christmas Day game with Baltimore, according to a team source.
The Ravens waived the six-year veteran Friday nearly two months after acquiring him. Baltimore’s decision to move on from Johnson, who was traded from the Carolina Panthers in October, followed a tumultuous month between both parties.
The Ravens mutually agreed with Johnson last week to excuse him from Week 16 activities ahead of the teams game against the the Pittsburgh Steelers, with coach John Harbaugh vaguely citing “front office type reasons” when asked why he hadn’t been released. That followed Johnson serving a one-game suspension the week prior for “conduct detrimental to the team” after refusing to take the field in Week 13.
In his four appearances with Baltimore, Johnson recorded one catch on five targets for six yards. His role in Carolina, however, saw the ex-Steeler produce more fruitful numbers to the tune of 30 receptions, 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games.
The Texans decision to claim Johnson follows the news that wide receiver Tank Dell is out for the season after suffering a dislocated knee and torn ACL and comes as the team’s prepare to face each other on Christmas Day.
Dell was injured in Saturday’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after catching a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback C.J. Stroud with 11:40 left in the third quarter. On a deep throw intended for Dell, Houston wide receiver Jared Wayne was in the vicinity of the play attempting to make a catch and collided with Dell’s knee. Medical personnel carted Dell off the field after tending to him for almost 10 minutes.
(Photo: Michael Owens / Getty Images)
