Diontae Johnson’s Ravens disappointment escalates with suspension

The Diontae Johnson saga has been one of the most perplexing storylines in the NFL this season. When the Baltimore Ravens traded for the talented wide receiver at the deadline, fans were hopeful his arrival would spark an offense looking to add firepower for a playoff push. Instead, Johnson has been conspicuously absent, both on the field and in the team’s game plan.

Johnson’s usage has been baffling. After playing a limited 17 snaps in his Week 9 debut, his role has diminished further with each passing week. By Week 13, despite being dressed and active for the game against the Eagles, Johnson did not see the field for a single snap. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has offered nothing but cryptic responses when asked about Johnson’s absence, leaving fans and even quarterback Lamar Jackson in the dark.

Now, the situation has taken an even stranger turn. The Ravens announced Johnson has been suspended for the team’s upcoming game against the New York Giants for conduct detrimental to the team. The decision has only added more fuel to the fire, as questions swirl about what went wrong with one of the Ravens’ most anticipated midseason acquisitions.

Ravens suspend Diontae Johnson for refusing to enter Eagles game

In a statement released earlier today, Ravens GM Eric DeCosta provided some clarity. Or at least the first public acknowledgment of the issue.

DeCosta revealed Johnson’s suspension stems from his refusal to enter the Week 13 game against the Eagles. "We have made the difficult decision to suspend Diontae Johnson for our upcoming game against the New York Giants for conduct detrimental to the team," the statement read. "Diontae's suspension stems from refusing to enter our game against the Philadelphia Eagles. We will have no further comments on this matter going forward."

This revelation paints a troubling picture of the relationship between Johnson and the Ravens’ coaching staff. For a team in the midst of a tight playoff race, internal strife is the last thing they need. Johnson’s apparent refusal to take the field raises significant questions about his future in Baltimore.

While the suspension may serve as a wake-up call for the receiver, it also feels like the beginning of the end. With a bye week to reset and prepare for the stretch run, the Ravens may use this time to determine if Johnson is worth the distraction. If not, his time in Baltimore could come to an unceremonious end, marking a disappointing conclusion to what was once seen as a promising addition.

As the Ravens prepare for their next game without Johnson, the focus now shifts to how the team will move forward. The team’s playoff hopes could hinge on resolving this issue quickly, but for now, the Diontae Johnson experiment appears to be unraveling by the day.

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