An unexpected Christmas present came early this year for wide receiver Diontae Johnson: the opportunity to face the Ravens five days after they cut him.
Johnson, who was suspended after the Ravens said he refused to go into their Week 13 game against the Philadelphia Eagles and then did not participate in the team’s Week 14 activities, was claimed off waivers Monday by the receiver-needy Houston Texans. The Ravens and Texans are set to play at 4:30 p.m. on Christmas Day, although it’s unlikely Johnson would be ready for game action.
The Texans are the fourth team Johnson has played for over his career — and the third this season. After five mostly productive years with Johnson, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded him to the Carolina Panthers ahead of the 2024 season. He was the top receiver with the Panthers but made it clear he was unhappy with the struggling team. Carolina traded him to the Ravens ahead of the deadline as part of a late-round pick swap.
Johnson was with the Ravens for just over six weeks but played in only four games. He had one catch for 6 yards on five targets in that span. The Ravens waived him Friday and, with wide receiver Nelson Agholor also unavailable because of a concussion, promoted Anthony Miller from the practice squad.
In a strange coincidence, the Ravens claimed former Texans wide receiver Steven Sims off waivers Monday, adding another punt returner to the mix amid trouble at the position. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Monday that cornerback Desmond King II will remain the team’s starting punt returner against the Texans despite fumbling twice in their win Saturday over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tylan Wallace lost his job after struggling in Week 13 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Sims appeared in seven games this season for the Texans before being waived Friday. He has returned 16 punts this year for an average of 6.2 yards, and also has returned seven kickoffs for an average of 27.9 yards. As a receiver, he didn’t have a catch for Houston.
Another former Raven who was cut earlier this season is also staying within the conference — and with the Harbaugh family. Safety Eddie Jackson, who earned a starting job in Week 9 before being benched in Week 10 and then released by Week 12, was signed to the practice squad of the Los Angeles Chargers, who are coached by Jim Harbaugh. The Chargers have many former Ravens on their team.
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