The Diontae Johnson saga took another unexpected turn as the Houston Texans released the wide receiver after two games with the team.
Texans Waive Diontae Johnson
Read more: https://t.co/h2cdE4z1bB
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) January 14, 2025
Johnson’s time in Houston ends before the No. 4 Texans play the No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans kept his explanation short when speaking to the media about Johnson’s release Tuesday.
“With Diontae, unfortunately, it didn’t work out, and we’re on to the Chiefs,” Ryans told reporters (via Aaron Wilson).
To say Johnson has undergone a tumultuous season would be putting it lightly. Johnson started the season off with the Carolina Panthers, where he experienced his most success of 2024. Johnson registered 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns with the Panthers.
On Oct. 29, the Panthers traded Johnson and a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens for a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Johnson was expected to become a top target for two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. However, Johnson never made an impact, recording one catch in four games.
The Ravens suspended Johnson for one game following the wide receiver’s refusal to enter the team’s Week 13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. On Dec. 20, the Ravens waived Johnson.
The Houston Texans claimed Johnson off waivers ahead of the team’s Christmas Day matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Houston needed wide receiver depth after the season-ending injuries to Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell.
Johnson caught three of five targets for 24 yards in two games with Houston. Johnson even recorded one catch for 12 yards in the Texans’ 32-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card Round.
'Unfortunately it didn't work out' #Texans coach DeMeco Ryans on cutting Diontae Johnson @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/fiSi5uQ2sc
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 14, 2025
Texans To Face Kansas City Chiefs
CJ Stroud brought up the traumatizing 2019 season divisional round loss to the Chiefs when talking about watching players in games like this growing up 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/Pa0jVySMAt
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) January 14, 2025
The Texans have a tall task next round as they face the Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium.
It’s a rematch of their Week 16 matchup, where the Chiefs came out on top by a score of 27-19.
This is not the first time the Texans and Chiefs have met in the Divisional Round. During the 2020 playoffs, Houston held a 24-0 lead over Kansas City in the second quarter. The Chiefs scored 41 unanswered points and won the game 51-31.
Kickoff is set for Saturday, Jan. 18, at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC.
