The Ravens and wide receiver Diontae Johnson have parted ways. This is the latest and final update between Baltimore and Johnson after the pass-catcher refused to enter a game in Week 13.
The team suspended the wideout one game during its Week 14 bye week, so he sat out Week 15’s game against the Giants. Johnson had been used sparingly, but there was a chance he would suit up for his revenge game in Week 16 against the Steelers. Now, Johnson’s future is up in the air as he awaits to see who, if anyone, claims him.
Here is what we know about what happened to Johnson and what his future holds.
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Why did the Ravens cut Diontae Johnson?
Johnson began 2024 with the Panthers. He was the team’s No. 1 wide receiver and tallied 357 yards and three touchdowns over seven games. Johnson was expected to become the No. 2 wideout for the Ravens behind Zay Flowers. He returned to the AFC North, where he spent the first five years of his career in Pittsburgh. We don’t know if Johnson struggled with the playbook or if his personality didn’t mesh, but he wasn’t playing many snaps.
Johnson spent the first seven weeks with Carolina and then was traded in Week 9. The wide receiver played 17 snaps in his first game with Baltimore. Then he played five, 11 and six snaps in the next three games. Johnson played zero snaps in Week 13 against Philadelphia. Baltimore had its bye week in Week 14 when it was revealed that the wide receiver was supposed to play against the Eagles. Johnson supposedly refused to enter the game, which is why he finished with no snaps.
Statement from the #Ravens, who say Diontae Johnson wouldn’t enter the game against the #Eagles. https://t.co/cF8IzFhlvo pic.twitter.com/pl2f2HykL1
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 4, 2024
He didn’t play in Week 15, serving his 1-game suspension. Johnson was expected to be back with the team in Week 16 against his former team. On Monday, the Ravens excused the wide receiver from team activities for the remainder of the week.
Statement from the Baltimore Ravens. pic.twitter.com/sg9seXfJMc
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 16, 2024
Johnson has now been waived by the Ravens, just one day before they host the Steelers. The wide receiver finishes his tenure in Baltimore with just one reception for six yards. Johnson will now go through waivers, and we will know if he gets claimed by a team early next week.
The #Ravens waived WR Diontae Johnson.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 20, 2024
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Since the team was on a bye, he was suspended and excused from team activities. Johnson hasn’t had to meet with the media since Week 13. We don’t know exactly what led to the rift, causing the fallout with the team. The assumption is that Johnson went from being one of the top two wide receivers in Pittsburgh to being the top option in Carolina.
Even though it was a small sample size, he was an afterthought in the Baltimore offense and likely felt disrespected. For now, that is just speculation, and we will have to wait for Johnson to speak to fill in the details. Granted, if he is claimed by a team, or signs as a free agent, he likely won’t speak on it publicly and just leave Baltimore in the past. Still, Johnson was expected to have a competitive free agent market, and now teams will likely be hesitant barring good reports from a new team.
No other way around it: Diontae Johnson lit millions on fire. Was set to be a top-25 free agent before the issues in Baltimore.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 20, 2024
