The Houston Texans have waived wide receiver Diontae Johnson as they gear up for their divisional-round playoff clash against the Kansas City Chiefs this Saturday. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans stated, “Unfortunately, with Diontae, it didn’t work out. We’re on to the Chiefs.”
This decision follows a disappointing period for Johnson, who expressed his frustration after the Texans’ wild-card victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He was seen in the locker room visibly upset, having only played 15 out of 70 offensive snaps in the game and receiving just one target, resulting in a solitary catch for 12 yards. His lack of involvement seemed to weigh heavily on him, prompting attempts at encouragement from teammates like running back Joe Mixon and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
Johnson’s tenure with the Texans was brief; he had just three catches for 24 yards across two games after being claimed off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens on December 23. His time in Baltimore was marred by a one-game suspension for refusing to play against the Philadelphia Eagles and limited action, managing only one catch for six yards in 39 snaps. Prior to the Ravens, Johnson had a modest stint with the Carolina Panthers, posting 30 receptions for 257 yards and three touchdowns after being traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he had a prominent career.
During his time in Pittsburgh, Johnson was a standout player, amassing 391 catches for 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns after being drafted in the third round in 2019. He had a Pro Bowl season in 2021, marking his peak performance with over 1,000 yards and a career-high eight touchdown catches.
In light of these developments, the Texans have promoted wide receiver Jared Wayne to their active roster and signed veteran Alex Erickson to their practice squad, indicating a strategic shift as they continue their playoff journey.
Johnson’s struggles highlight the often tumultuous nature of professional sports, where opportunities can constantly shift. As he looks for a new opportunity, there’s hope that he can find a team that will enable him to showcase his talents more effectively in the future.