Diontae Johnson is moving onto his third team of the 2024 season, as the Texans filled their need for a wide receiver by claiming the former Steeler, Panther and Raven on Monday.
Houston has already seen both Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell go down with long-term injuries this season, so after Baltimore released Johnson last week, there was a natural fit.
Soon, Johnson will be catching passes from C.J. Stroud. But could he already have an opportunity to face his former Ravens team on Christmas Day?
Here are the latest updates on whether or not Johnson will be available for Houston in its Christmas matchup vs. Baltimore.
MORE: Updated Texans WR depth chart after Diontae Johnson acquisition
Will Diontae Johnson play on Christmas vs. the Ravens?
The Ravens, who traded for Johnson earlier this season, released the wide receiver Friday after he previously refused to play in a game and was then suspended for one game. As Johnson hit waivers, the Texans claimed him on Monday not long after Dell went down with his injury.
Because Johnson will only have two days to get acclimated to his new Houston squad, it’d be a significant challenge for him to adjust to the offense enough to play on Wednesday against the Ravens. There’s been no official word regarding Johnson’s status for Christmas Day yet, but it’d be a surprise if he’s able to understand the Texans’ playbook enough in time for the matchup.
After Johnson was traded from Carolina to Baltimore on Oct. 29, he was active for the Ravens in their following matchup against the Broncos four days later. But he didn’t register a single target, playing in just 30% of the team’s offensive snaps, per Football Guys.
Johnson’s status for Texans vs. Ravens will likely be announced either at some point Tuesday, or when Houston releases its inactives list shortly before the matchup on Christmas Day.
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Texans remaining 2024 schedule
If Johnson can’t go against Baltimore this week, he’ll have just one more regular season opportunity to get acclimated in the Texans’ offense.
Here’s how Houston, which has already clinched the AFC South and will play in the postseason, will finish out the regular season:
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
| Dec. 25 | vs. Ravens | 4:30 p.m. |
| Jan. 5 | at Titans | TBD |
MORE NFL CHRISTMAS NEWS:
Diontae Johnson 2024 stats
Johnson has had a whirlwind of a 2024 season, as he’s about to play for his third team. It’s also his fourth team in the last calendar year, having played for the Steelers in 2023.
In his 11 games between the Panthers and Ravens, here’s the numbers Johnson has put up so far this season:
| Team | Games | Targets | Receptions | Rec. yards | AVG | TDs |
| Panthers | 7 | 58 | 30 | 357 | 11.9 | 3 |
| Ravens | 4 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 0 |
| Totals: | 11 | 63 | 31 | 363 | 11.7 | 3 |
