Texans Waive Pro Bowl Receiver Diontae Johnson Ahead of Crucial Matchup
In a surprising move, the Houston Texans have waived veteran wide receiver Diontae Johnson just before their pivotal divisional game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Johnson, who joined the Texans in late December after being waived by the Baltimore Ravens, now finds himself a free agent once more.
Johnson's brief stint with the Texans included participation in two games. During the regular-season finale against the Tennessee Titans, Johnson caught two passes, totaling 12 yards. His involvement continued into the postseason during the Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Chargers, where he was targeted once, resulting in a 12-yard reception. Despite playing 16 offensive snaps—accounting for 22 percent of the Texans' offensive plays in that game—Johnson was unable to secure a more permanent position on the roster.
A Season of Change
This year has been a turbulent one for Johnson, who began the season with the Pittsburgh Steelers before experiencing several team changes. He spent time with the Carolina Panthers and the Baltimore Ravens before making his way to Houston. The Ravens traded him to the Panthers along with a sixth-round draft pick, receiving a fifth-round pick in return. His departure from Baltimore followed a suspension for conduct detrimental to the team, signaling a rocky period in the receiver's career.
Despite these challenges, Johnson's capabilities on the field remain unquestionable. His standout 2021 season with the Steelers saw him recording 107 catches for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns, earning him a Pro Bowl selection. Yet, replicating such a performance has proven elusive in the current season, marked by instability and constant relocations.
Texans Focused on Chiefs Matchup
As the Texans prepare to face the Chiefs, head coach DeMeco Ryans addressed Johnson's release, expressing a clear focus on the task ahead. "With Diontae, unfortunately, it didn’t work out and we’re on to the Chiefs," Ryans stated. This underscores the Texans' determination to approach the playoffs with a lineup they believe will best support their chances of success.
The team will face the Chiefs without key wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell. In their absence, John Metchie III, Robert Woods, and Xavier Hutchinson will step up to assist Nico Collins in the Texans' receiving corps. This reshuffling aims to maintain strategic depth and versatility in their offensive strategy against a formidable Kansas City team.
Johnson's future in the NFL remains uncertain as he navigates the complexities of a professional career marked by both high achievements and recent setbacks. For the Texans, the focus remains on solidifying their roster and strategy in hopes of advancing further in the playoffs. As the football world turns its attention to the looming clash against the Chiefs, Houston's recalibrated lineup will seek to make a memorable impact, even as they bid farewell to a player once recognized among the league's elite.