The Baltimore Ravens have suspended wide receiver Diontae Johnson for one game due to conduct deemed detrimental to the team. This decision was announced on Wednesday by Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta, who explained that the suspension resulted from Johnson’s refusal to enter the game during their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. This disciplinary action was described by DeCosta as a “difficult decision.”
Johnson will miss the Ravens’ upcoming game against the New York Giants on December 15, as the team is currently on a bye week. So far, he has seen limited action since being acquired from the Carolina Panthers on October 29, playing only 39 snaps and recording just one catch for six yards. This lack of production has raised questions about his future with the team, especially as he heads into free agency at the end of the season.
The situation is particularly intriguing because Johnson did not see playing time even when starting wide receiver Rashod Bateman was injured in the second half of the Eagles game, leading to speculation about his standing with the team. Coach John Harbaugh had been noncommittal about Johnson’s future during recent discussions.
The Ravens obtained Johnson for a fifth-round draft pick, as the Panthers agreed to cover a significant portion of his existing salary, making the acquisition a low-risk move financially. Despite his struggles in Baltimore, Johnson has a solid track record, with 422 career receptions totaling 4,726 yards and 28 touchdowns across his tenures with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, and now the Ravens.
In terms of impact on the Ravens’ roster, they still boast a strong receiving corps with Zay Flowers, Bateman, and Nelson Agholor contributing to their ranking as one of the top passing offenses in the league, averaging 243.3 yards per game. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson expressed a desire for Johnson to stay engaged and contribute, emphasizing the team’s investment in bringing him on board.
In summary, Diontae Johnson’s suspension sheds light on his rocky tenure with the Ravens thus far and raises questions about how it may affect his future as he approaches free agency. While this situation may seem challenging, it serves as an opportunity for the Ravens to refine what they need moving forward, with the hope of building a more cohesive team.