It looks like the Baltimore Ravens got their holiday wish early this year. Diontae Johnson is officially someone else’s problem after being claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans just days after Baltimore decided enough was enough.
Sources: With Tank Dell out, the Houston Texans have claimed former Ravens WR Diontae Johnson on waivers.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 23, 2024
Johnson now will spend Christmas in the company of the Ravens, as Houston hosts Baltimore on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/uHsWqRZOTK
The embattled wide receiver, whose short stint with the Ravens was defined by a lack of production and sideline drama, now finds himself on his fourth team in calendar year 2024.
For the Texans, Johnson’s arrival is about plugging holes. With Tank Dell out for the season following a brutal knee injury and Stefon Diggs already sidelined, Houston needed reinforcements for its receiving corps heading into the playoffs. For Baltimore, it’s about moving forward. Johnson’s time in purple and black was an experiment that backfired, and his departure comes as the Ravens aim to finish their season strong.
Of course, the timing couldn’t be more ironic—or festive. Houston hosts Baltimore on Christmas Day, making this one of the spiciest holiday matchups in recent memory. Johnson likely won’t suit up for this game, but the Ravens now have every reason to give the Texans a lump of coal on their home turf.
Diontae Johnson’s exit sets the stage for Baltimore to prove a point
The Ravens took a flier on Johnson at the trade deadline, acquiring him from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a minor pick swap. At the time, the move was seen as a low-risk attempt to bolster a receiving corps that needed depth behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman.
But it didn’t take long for the cracks to show.
In four games with the Ravens, Johnson played just 39 offensive snaps and caught a single pass for six yards. His frustrations boiled over during the team’s Week 13 loss to the Eagles, where he refused to enter the game. Baltimore suspended him for the following week and kept him away from the team entirely before finally waiving him.
Houston’s decision to claim Johnson is as much about desperation as it is opportunity. The Texans have battled injuries at wide receiver all season, and while they’re locked into the playoffs, their depth chart behind Nico Collins is thin. Whether Johnson can make an impact remains to be seen, but Baltimore fans won’t lose any sleep over his departure.
For the Ravens, Wednesday’s Christmas Day clash with the Texans is about keeping momentum heading into the postseason. Baltimore has already clinched a playoff spot but still has plenty to play for in terms of seeding. A win over Houston would help them keep pace with the AFC’s top teams—and serve as a reminder that their locker room is better off without Johnson.
All the Ravens wanted for Christmas was a fresh start. Now they have it. It’s up to them to take advantage. Thank you, Santa, for making wishes come true.