The Texans Claim Diontae Johnson Off Waivers Following Tank Dell’s Injury

In an unexpected and significant move, the Houston Texans have claimed wide receiver Diontae Johnson off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens, following the news that their promising rookie, Tank Dell, has suffered a potentially serious injury. This move could signal a shift in the Texans’ offensive strategy, as they adjust to both the loss of Dell and the opportunity presented by Johnson’s arrival.

The Injury to Tank Dell

Tank Dell had quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young wide receivers in the NFL. After being drafted by the Texans in the 2023 NFL Draft, Dell showcased remarkable speed, agility, and football IQ, quickly earning a central role in the team’s offense. His ability to stretch the field, make contested catches, and serve as a reliable target for quarterback C.J. Stroud had turned him into a fan favorite. However, in a recent game, Dell went down with a potentially serious injury that could sideline him for an extended period of time.

The nature of the injury has not been fully disclosed, but reports suggest that it is related to his lower body, possibly a hamstring or knee injury, which would be a blow to both Dell and the Texans’ offense. While the team has remained tight-lipped about the full extent of the injury, it’s clear that Dell’s absence would leave a void that would need to be filled for the remainder of the season. This has prompted the Texans to act quickly in addressing their depth at the wide receiver position.

Why Diontae Johnson?

In response to Dell’s injury, the Texans decided to look outside the organization for help, claiming Diontae Johnson off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens. While Johnson had been a productive receiver for the Ravens over the past several seasons, his departure was largely due to the Ravens’ depth at the position and a shift in the team’s overall strategy. Johnson had fallen out of favor in Baltimore, but his potential to be a reliable, number-two option in an offense has never been questioned.

Diontae Johnson entered the NFL as a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, joining the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had a standout career in Pittsburgh, where he quickly developed into one of the top targets in the Steelers’ offense. Johnson became known for his precise route running, reliable hands, and the ability to make plays after the catch. He finished the 2022 season with over 800 receiving yards, despite being limited by inconsistent quarterback play and injuries. However, in 2023, Johnson was traded to the Ravens, where his role became more limited due to the emergence of other weapons in Baltimore’s offense.

Despite the limited role, the Texans front office saw enough potential in Johnson to bring him into the fold, hoping to add more experience and depth to the receiving corps. Johnson’s combination of skills—strong hands, deep-threat ability, and route-running precision—could make him an ideal replacement for Dell, particularly in terms of versatility. The Texans may view Johnson not just as a stopgap but as a player who can offer value beyond the current season.

Diontae Johnson’s Skill Set and Fit with the Texans

Diontae Johnson brings a set of attributes to the Texans that can help replace the production lost with Tank Dell’s injury. While the two players are different in terms of style, Johnson’s expertise as a route runner and his ability to separate from defenders makes him a natural fit for Houston’s offense. One of the major areas in which Johnson excels is his ability to work in the short to intermediate passing game.

His route running, considered among the best in the NFL, is one of the key attributes that the Texans will benefit from. Johnson’s ability to get open quickly and make precise cuts enables him to create separation, even when facing tight coverage. His quickness, especially in the short routes, will be invaluable to C.J. Stroud, who has been developing chemistry with his wide receivers since taking over as the starter.

Additionally, Johnson’s hands and consistency in catching passes are noteworthy. He has had seasons where his catch rate has been among the highest in the league, and his reliability could be a key asset in stabilizing the Texans’ passing attack. The Texans have struggled at times this season with drops and missed opportunities, and Johnson’s ability to secure the ball could bring more consistency to the offense.

Another aspect of Johnson’s game that could help the Texans is his ability to make plays after the catch. While he might not have the pure speed of Tank Dell, Johnson is strong with the ball in his hands. He’s not afraid to fight for extra yards, which could be important as the Texans attempt to keep their offense moving down the field.

The Texans may also look to utilize Johnson as a deep threat. While he isn’t as explosive as Dell in terms of pure speed, Johnson has shown the ability to stretch the field with well-timed routes and good timing with his quarterback. This aspect of his game could help maintain the threat of a deep passing game, allowing the Texans to continue to attack vertically, something that Stroud and Dell had developed early on this season.

Immediate Impact and Role

As Diontae Johnson joins the Texans, it’s important to consider what his role will look like in the short term. With Tank Dell out of the lineup, it’s likely that Johnson will be asked to step into a prominent role right away. While the Texans still have other options at wide receiver, including veteran Robert Woods and emerging second-year player Nico Collins, Johnson could emerge as one of Stroud’s primary options.

The Texans may look to ease Johnson into the offense, given his relatively short time with the team, but don’t expect him to remain a backup for long. His skill set is too valuable, and given the urgency created by Dell’s injury, Johnson is likely to be integrated into the offense immediately. Depending on how quickly he adapts to the team’s playbook and offensive rhythm, Johnson could even be featured in a variety of different packages, allowing him to contribute in a multitude of ways.

Long-Term Outlook for the Texans

While the immediate focus will be on Diontae Johnson’s role in the offense in the wake of Tank Dell’s injury, it’s also worth considering how this move could affect the Texans’ long-term outlook. Johnson is still a relatively young player, and his acquisition could provide a more seasoned option alongside Nico Collins for the future. As the Texans continue to build their offense around C.J. Stroud, Johnson’s presence could give the team a more reliable set of options at wide receiver.

In the long term, if Diontae Johnson performs well, the Texans could look to re-sign him in the offseason, providing them with a veteran presence in their receiving corps. While this is a possibility, much will depend on how Johnson meshes with the team over the rest of the season. If he fits in seamlessly and shows that he can still perform at a high level, the Texans may make a serious push to keep him beyond the 2024 season.

On the flip side, if Johnson struggles to acclimate to Houston’s system or doesn’t provide the expected level of production, the team might opt to let him walk and continue building around their younger core of wide receivers. With the injury to Dell and the Texans’ evolving offensive scheme, this could be a pivotal moment for both Johnson and the franchise.