Diontae Johnson will immediately get a shot at his old team on Christmas Day as the Texas and Ravens set to square off.
Diontae Johnson’s season has taken another twist. The wide receiver, now with his third team this year, was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans.
The move comes as the Texans grapple with devastating losses in their receiving corps. Tank Dell, the dynamic rookie, suffered a torn ACL and dislocated kneecap during a collision with teammate Jared Wayne after a stunning 30-yard touchdown catch against Kansas City. Stefon Diggs is also sidelined with a torn ACL. Houston, having clinched the AFC South title, needed reinforcements, and Johnson joins a group now headlined by Nico Collins, John Metchie III, and Robert Woods.
Texans claim WR Diontae Johnson off waivers. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/CFxrlDz3ii
— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2024
Johnson’s journey this season has been turbulent. After starting with the Carolina Panthers, he was traded to the Baltimore Ravens in October, appearing in four games before refusing to enter a Week 12 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Ravens suspended him for one game, citing “conduct detrimental to the team,” and later excused him from activities entirely before waiving him on Dec. 20. Johnson, an unrestricted free agent this offseason, has not publicly addressed his decision to sit out.
The Texans, sitting at 9-6 and locked into the AFC’s No. 4 seed, will face the Ravens on Christmas Day before closing the regular season against the Tennessee Titans. For Johnson, it’s another chance to make his mark—this time, on a team fighting to stay competitive in a crowded playoff field.
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Ravens vs. Texans Christmas Day Preview
The second of two Christmas Day matchups brings us a compelling clash between playoff-bound teams as the Houston Texans (9-6) host the Baltimore Ravens (10-5) at NRG Stadium. C.J. Stroud and the Texans have secured the AFC South title for the second straight season, while Baltimore sits just behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North, trailing by a tiebreaker. The Diontae Johnson situation just adds another layer to an already big game.
Both teams enter this game in uncharted territory, playing their third game in just 10 days. That grueling schedule raises questions about player availability and how the pace of play may unfold in Houston.
The NFL is LIVE on Netflix. This Christmas!
Wednesday December 25
Chiefs vs. Steelers at 1 PM ET
Ravens vs. Texans at 4:30 PM ET pic.twitter.com/gl7nN57CnL— Netflix (@netflix) October 20, 2024
This isn’t the first December meeting between these teams. Just last year, the Ravens dominated the Texans in Baltimore with a 34-10 playoff victory.
Baltimore boasts reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, who has elevated his game even further this season. Jackson has thrown for 3,787 yards, 37 touchdowns, and just four interceptions while adding 765 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. His 75.5 QBR ranks second in the league, a testament to his dual-threat dominance.
For Houston, second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud has faced adversity. With a patchwork offensive line and injuries to his receiving corps, Stroud has managed 3,492 passing yards and 19 touchdowns but has thrown 11 interceptions. His 51.4 QBR ranks 25th, underscoring the challenges he faces.
In a season-defining moment, both teams have much to prove.
