HOUSTON – Diontae Johnson was jettisoned from the Baltimore Ravens as drama behind the scenes stemming from his displeasure with his lack of touches in the offense ultimately came to a head as his business relationship with the team deteriorated to the point where he was placed on waivers.
The Texans, with a glaring need for a wide receiver with Tank Dell out for the season with a devastating knee injury, were awarded the veteran wide receiver off waivers.
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One week after joining the Texans, Johnson practiced for the first time with his new teammates Monday morning as he caught a series of passes from quarterback C.J. Stroud. After the workout at his new locker, Johnson emphasized that he’s turning the page on what happened in Baltimore and is embracing a fresh start with the Texans.
“Just to be here, fresh start, getting around the guys just being here to actually be in the building and not worry about everything that’s been going on, just focus on the Titans and learning plays, I’m just taking it one day at a time,” Johnson said in his first comments since joining the Texans. “I want to leave that in the past. Fresh start here.
“I had a good time there, I got some good teammates I got to know. Those relationships are going to be here and I’m going to move forward here. I’m trying to win games here and go far in the playoffs. I see myself fitting in real well. Knowing C.J., I met him at a signing and kept in touch here and there throughout the season. To finally get here and be in the offense with him is just a blessing, just his talent he brings to the game.”
New #Texans wide receiver Diontae Johnson said he's embracing fresh start and putting the past behind him from stint with #Ravens @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/KyLxEu0H8F
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 30, 2024
What happened with the Ravens? Johnson caught one pass for six yards on five targets and played in just 39 offensive snaps. He was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team when he refused to play in a Dec. 1 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Then, he was excused from team activities in a mutual decision with management and the coaching staff.
Johnson was waived after a rocky tenure with the Ravens that lasted just seven weeks. Johnson was suspended by the Ravens in what general manager Eric DeCosta called a “difficult decision.”
Johnson has gotten extremely emotional and upset when he doesn’t get the football, according to multiple league sources. Several sources emphasized that Johnson has a friendly, kind personality, but can be volatile when things don’t go the way he expected them to. Teammates have said positive things about Johnson, who was warmly greeted with hugs by former teammates, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, when the Ravens were at NRG Stadium on Christmas and defeated the Texans in a 31-2 blowout victory.
From the Texans’ standpoint, they’re not focused on the past with Johnson. They’re determine to get the most out of the pending unrestricted free agent on the field, starting with a Sunday road game against the Tennessee Titans.
“With Diontae, adding him to our team, he’s a guy who has talent,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s done it at a high level for other teams. He’s bounced around a little bit here. As I mentioned to him, he, of course, has a clean slate starting with me. It really doesn’t matter what has happened in the past or what the narrative is about you. You come here and everything is a fresh start. And so we’ll see how he can help us, what he can add to our team. on the field and off the field.”
Johnson has 31 receptions for 363 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 11.7 yards per catch.
For his career, the former Pittsburgh Steelers third-round draft pick from Toledo has 422 catches for 4,726 yards and 28 touchdowns in stints for the Steelers, Panthers and Ravens.
'Clean slate starting from me. It's a fresh start.' #Texans coach DeMeco Ryans on his conversations with new wide receiver Diontae Johnson, said he doesn't focus on narratives from previous teams @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/SEH1Vr0L6C
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 30, 2024
“I bring a lot of value, just my ability to get open and create space,” Johnson said. “And just my YAC ability after I catch the ball and add another weapon to the rest of the guys here, just being another weapon and make the offense that much better.”
The Ravens acquired Johnson and a sixth-round pick in 2025 from the Panthers for a 2025 fifth-rounder.
“Team first, everybody is about the team,” Johnson said when asked what he’s learned about the Texans’ culture. “I’m about the team, too. I’m doing whatever the coaches asks of me, special teams, returns, if I play a couple plays here and there, just contribute in some sort of way, that’s all I’m really worried about.”
Johnson had 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns for Carolina.
He had hoped to join the Texans during the NFL trade deadline, but was sent to Baltimore and it didn’t work out. The Los Angeles Chargers were the only other team to put in a waiver claim for Johnson.
“I was excited because I wanted to come here before when I was about to get traded,” Johnson said. “Now that I’m here, fresh start and I’m looking forward to playing.”
New #Texans wide receiver Diontae Johnson learning the ropes @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/4I0u49RDwF
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 30, 2024
For the Steelers last season, Johnson stood around and didn’t attempt to recover a fumble by running back Jaylen Warren. He was derided on social media and scolded by coach Mike Tomlin.
A potential touchdown pass get knocked out of Johnson’s hands in the back of the end zone, too.
Tomlin said Johnson needs to control his emotions. Johnson apologized to his teammates.
“I didn’t know the play was still going,” Johnson said. “Like I said, if I could make the play again I would tackle the ball.”
Being with the Texans represents an audition for Johnson, who has the opportunity to establish himself as perhaps a player the organization will want to do a new contract for if this is a good fit.
“Yeah, God willing, got to come in here and do what I got to do, do the right things, keep building relationships with everybody,” Johnson said. “Just being more open and talking and show that I want to be here and I want to be a part of this offense and an organization. I’m blessed to be here, excited, so I’m just looking forward to this and making my mark, playoffs and this week.”
New #Texans wide receiver Diontae Johnson practices Monday for first time with team @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/nu5G3B1XCL
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 30, 2024
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com