Only two months after joining the Baltimore Ravens, wide receiver Diontae Johnson has found himself without a team. The Ravens made the decision to waive Johnson on Friday, following an incident where the receiver declined to play in their match against the Philadelphia Eagles. This move comes shortly after Johnson’s arrival in Baltimore in October through a trade with the Carolina Panthers. As part of the trade deal, the Ravens also acquired a sixth-round pick in the 2025 draft, while the Panthers received a fifth-round pick in the same draft year in return.
The situation leading to Johnson’s departure unfolded during the Ravens’ game against the Eagles on December 4th. Despite being present at the game, Johnson did not see any playing time, raising questions among fans and analysts. Initially, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh kept the reasons for Johnson’s absence vague, but it was later disclosed by the team that the receiver had refused to enter the game when called upon.
Subsequently, the Ravens took disciplinary action against Johnson, suspending him for one game due to what was stated as “conduct detrimental to the team,” as announced by Baltimore’s general manager, Eric DeCosta. The exact motives behind Johnson’s refusal to participate in the game remain unclear, leaving speculation and conjecture in its wake.
Before his brief stint in Baltimore, Johnson had been a standout performer for the Carolina Panthers, leading the team in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches. However, his time with the Ravens saw significantly less on-field action, with Johnson being active for just five games and starting only once. His contributions were limited to a single reception for 6 yards, despite being targeted five times by the Ravens.
At 28 years old, Johnson currently finds himself in a contract year, having inked a two-year extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers back in 2022. Now, with his release from the Ravens, Johnson’s fate hangs in the balance as he enters the waiver wire, where teams have until Monday at 4 pm ET to make a claim for his services. To fill the void left by Johnson’s departure, the Ravens have activated wide receiver Anthony Miller from their practice squad to bolster their receiving corps.
