Tank Dell’s season-ending knee injury put the Houston Texans in a bind. Luckily, a former No. 1 receiver was on the market at the proper moment.
Houston claimed former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Diontae Johnson off waivers ahead of its Christmas Day matchup with the AFC North franchise on Monday afternoon.
While Johnson might be headed to Houston, the Texans weren’t the only playoff-caliber roster interested in adding the disgruntled Ravens star. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Los Angeles Chargers also put in a waiver claim for Johnson, thus creating the Harbaugh-to-Harbaugh bridge once more.
Besides the Texans, one other team attempted to claim WR Diontae Johnson off of waivers, per source: the Chargers.
Houston had priority over Los Angeles, as two wideout-needy team competing in the AFC claimed Johnson.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 23, 2024
So, why did the Texans land Johnson? Based on the waiver order, Houston had top priority. Once you add in that both Dell and two-time All-Pro Stefon Diggs are out for the year, it makes sense why one team needed him a bite more.
The Ravens waived Johnson on Friday, ending his underwhelming seven weeks with the team. Baltimore suspended him for one game after he refused to play in a loss against the Philadelphia Eagles last month. He was then excused from all team activities last week.
Houston is hoping to get the version of Johnson the Ravens traded before back in October from the Carolina Panthers. As Bryce Young’s top weapon, Johnson had 30 catches for 257 yards and three touchdowns for Carolina when he was dealt for a fifth-round pick after seven games.
A third-round draft pick out of Toledo in 2019 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Johnson has totaled 422 catches for 4,726 yards and 28 touchdowns for Pittsburgh, Carolina and Baltimore.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium.