WR Diontae Johnson is excused from team activities for the week by the Ravens.
The future of wide receiver Diontae Johnson with the Baltimore Ravens is shrouded in uncertainty following the team’s announcement on Monday that the veteran wideout has been mutually excused from participating in team activities for the week. This decision came after Johnson had completed a one-game suspension, which he received after refusing to enter the Ravens’ Week 13 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 1, a game Baltimore lost 24-19.
While Johnson was eligible to return following his suspension, the Ravens have not provided any clarity on his future with the team. Head coach John Harbaugh, when asked about the likelihood of Johnson’s return in the coming week, was noncommittal, stating that his focus was entirely on preparing the team for the upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Harbaugh said, “What I foresee really, to be honest with you, and all I’m really thinking about right now is Pittsburgh and getting our team ready for Pittsburgh. So, he won’t be here this week, and next week will take care of itself.”
The Ravens will face off against the Steelers in a crucial AFC North showdown on Saturday, which could have significant playoff implications. With a win, Baltimore (9-5) would move into a tie with Pittsburgh (10-4) for first place in the division. A loss, however, would allow the Steelers to clinch the AFC North title on their home turf, further complicating Baltimore’s playoff hopes.
The situation surrounding Johnson has become one of the more perplexing trade scenarios in recent Ravens history. On October 29, Baltimore made a deal with the Carolina Panthers to acquire Johnson and a sixth-round pick in exchange for a fifth-round pick. At the time, Johnson was the Panthers’ leading receiver, yet his tenure with the Ravens has been underwhelming. Since joining Baltimore, Johnson has caught only one pass for 6 yards. Over the course of four games, Johnson saw limited action, playing just 39 snaps while being relegated to a backup role behind wide receivers Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Nelson Agholor. Johnson was even suited up for the Ravens’ loss to the Eagles but did not play, as confirmed by general manager Eric DeCosta.
When asked about the decision to excuse Johnson from team activities rather than release him outright, Harbaugh chose not to provide specifics. “I know you guys want to hear the story,” Harbaugh said, “There are a lot of moving parts. There are reasons for doing things that are front office-type reasons. Do I want to sit here and get into all the different calculations that Eric makes? I really don’t. I want to think about Pittsburgh and our team getting ready for Pittsburgh and the guys who are going to be here playing against Pittsburgh. That’s my focus 100%.”
One key reason the Ravens might have refrained from waiving Johnson could be the possibility that he could end up with another AFC team, which could potentially face Baltimore in the playoffs. Given the playoff implications, the Ravens may want to keep Johnson on the roster for now, at least to prevent a division rival or conference foe from acquiring him.
Despite Johnson’s absence from the field, quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offense have remained one of the most potent in the NFL. Jackson currently ranks fifth in the league with 3,580 passing yards, while his 34 touchdown passes place him second overall. Without Johnson, the Ravens’ passing attack continues to thrive, with Jackson finding success with other receiving options, such as Zay Flowers, Bateman, and Agholor.
The trade for Johnson, which seemed promising at the time, now stands as a puzzling chapter in Baltimore’s season. The team’s decision to acquire him, especially considering his minimal production and recent issues with playing time, raises questions about whether the trade was ever truly a good fit. Johnson’s struggles to make an impact on the field have only added to the confusion, and his ongoing issues with the coaching staff and front office suggest that the relationship between the player and team could be on its last legs.
Looking forward, the Ravens will need to navigate the situation carefully. The immediate priority is securing a victory over Pittsburgh, but the team must also consider the long-term implications of their roster decisions. The uncertainty surrounding Johnson’s future could potentially affect the Ravens’ preparation for both the upcoming game and the postseason. Should the team opt to part ways with him, they will need to weigh the risks of giving another AFC contender a chance to add a receiver with Johnson’s potential.
For now, Johnson’s status with the Ravens remains unclear. The team has opted to focus on the task at hand—preparing for a crucial AFC North battle—and any decisions regarding Johnson’s future will be put on hold until after the Steelers game. However, the Ravens’ struggles to integrate Johnson into their offense, coupled with his disciplinary issues, suggest that the veteran wide receiver’s time in Baltimore may be nearing an end. With the Ravens continuing to fight for playoff positioning, the front office may be forced to make a decision about Johnson’s role, or lack thereof, in the near future.
In conclusion, the situation with Diontae Johnson has become one of the most talked-about storylines for the Ravens this season. What initially looked like a promising trade has turned into a source of frustration, with Johnson failing to make an impact on the field and his future with the team in jeopardy. As the Ravens continue their push for a playoff spot, the team will need to decide whether Johnson has a place in their plans moving forward or whether it’s time to move on from the former Panthers’ leading receiver. The outcome of their game against Pittsburgh may very well play a pivotal role in shaping their decisions, both on the field and in terms of roster management.
