While it might not be the answer Houston Texans fans were looking for, second-year coach DeMeco Ryans kept his thoughts brief on the release of wide receiver Dionate Johnson.
“With Diontae, unfortunately it didn’t work out and we’re on to the Chiefs,” Ryans said following Tuesday’s practice.
Johnson, who was claimed off waivers after seven weeks with the Baltimore Ravens, lasted three weeks and played two games with Houston before his release on Tuesday afternoon.
He caught three passes for 24 yards, including one against the Los Angeles Chargers during the wild-card round for a pickup of 12.
DeMeco Ryans on the Texans releasing Diontae Johnson:
“With Diontae unfortunately it didn’t work out and we’re on to the Chiefs.”
Great job to minimize & prevent it from being a distraction. We move. pic.twitter.com/2vNhyEOdNJ
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) January 14, 2025
While the hope was for Johnson to take over as the potential No. 2 option, challenges were presented from the jump. After being picked up in Week 17, Johnson didn’t see the field until the regular-season finale against the Tennessee Titans.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud only played one drive before leaving for the remainder of the game. Outside of a few practices, the two were never on the same page.
But tension rose following Saturday’s win. During the open locker room session, Johnson was seen visibly upset sitting in his locker. He seemed frustrated because of a lack of playing time and targets.
Running back Joe Mixon and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair tried to comfort and encourage him. Two days later, he was waived.
Houston was the fourth Johnson had joined since the start of the 2024 NFL season. The Pittsburgh Steelers first traded him in the offseason to the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers then traded Johnson after seven games to the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 29. After seven games with Baltimore and a suspension, he was placed on waivers in late December.
According to reports, Johnson was frustrated with his limited role in Baltimore, which led to his refusal to play in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
According to The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M Alexander, Johnson “couldn’t get out of his own way” in Carolina, thus factoring into the trade.
Seems like nobody wants Diontae Johnson in their locker room.
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) January 14, 2025
In his two games with the Texans, Johnson played less than 30% of the team’s total offensive snaps. He can be picked up by another playoff team or clear waivers and sign with a new team that’s left in the postseason.
Johnson is an impending free agent, so he could be done until the offseason.
The Texans travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Chiefs in a rematch of Week 16. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CT on ESPN and ABC.
