The Houston Texans have made the difficult decision to waive wide receiver Diontae Johnson as they gear up for their upcoming divisional-round playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Coach DeMeco Ryans commented on the team’s decision, saying, “Unfortunately, with Diontae it didn’t work out. We’re on to the Chiefs.”
Johnson’s recent time with the Texans has been marked by disappointment. Following their wild-card playoff victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, he was seen visibly upset in the locker room. He had only participated in 15 out of 70 offensive snaps during the game, receiving just one target and finishing with one catch for 12 yards. This lack of involvement seemingly contributed to his frustration, which was noted as he sat dressed in his locker appearing disheartened. Teammates such as running back Joe Mixon and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair attempted to lift his spirits.
The Texans had claimed Johnson off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens on December 23, after he was previously suspended for refusing to enter a game against the Philadelphia Eagles. His time with the Ravens also proved to be brief, where he only recorded one catch for 6 yards over 39 snaps. Prior to that, Johnson was with the Carolina Panthers, where he had a more productive first half of the season, catching 30 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns.
Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Johnson had an impressive tenure with Pittsburgh, amassing 391 catches for 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns, including a Pro Bowl selection in 2021.
While the waiver signals a challenging chapter in Johnson’s career, it also opens opportunities for both him and the Texans as they focus on their playoff journey against the Chiefs.
In summary, Johnson’s departure from the Texans follows a series of challenges with his performance and participation across multiple teams this season. This situation exemplifies the volatility of NFL careers, where high expectations can quickly translate into difficult decisions for players and organizations alike.