Diontae Johnson out,
John Metchie III in.
The third-year Houston Texans receiver is active for Wednesday’s Christmas showdown as the AFC South champions welcome in the Baltimore Ravens as part of a doubleheader on Netflix.
Metchie, who missed Saturday’s 27-19 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs with a shoulder injury, returned to practice at full speed Monday. He was cleared to return based on Tuesday’s injury report, but the inactive list shows he’s cleared to go.
Metchie will be the focal point in the slot and the No. 2 weapon for C.J. Stroud opposite Nico Collins with Tank Dell sidelined for the remainder of the year. Dell, who was on pace for a better second year, suffered a dislocated knee, torn ACL, MCL and LCL, along with several other minor ailments during the third quarter of Saturday’s loss at Kansas City.
He’s expected to miss the majority of the 2025 season as he’ll require multiple surgeries from now until next season.
Johnson, who was claimed off waivers on Monday, will suit up for Houston in Week 18, but the timing wasn’t enough to get him on the field.
Linebacker Devin White, who was inactive the last two games, is also inactive.
Former Texans returner Steven Sims, who was claimed off waivers earlier this week, is active and should return punts against his former team at a stadium he knows well.
Here’s the remaining inactives for both the Texans and Ravens. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 pm.
Houston Texans (9-6)
Today’s inactives for #BALvsHOU ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/TpmM6HHvdI
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 25, 2024
Baltimore Ravens (10-5)
Today’s inactives vs. the Texans. pic.twitter.com/PQTDbgLZ3e
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 25, 2024
