In a surprising roster move ahead of their divisional clash against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Houston Texans have waived wide receiver Diontae Johnson. This decision comes just weeks after Johnson was added to the team's roster, following his release from the Baltimore Ravens on December 23.
Johnson's brief tenure with the Texans saw him participate in two games, including appearances during the regular season finale against the Tennessee Titans and the Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Chargers. In these outings, he recorded three receptions, each contributing 12 yards for the Texans' offense. His involvement in the Wild Card round amounted to 16 offensive snaps, which represented 22 percent of the team's total offensive plays in that game.
The end of Johnson's stint with the Texans marks yet another chapter in a whirlwind season that has seen him don the jerseys of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens, and finally, the Texans. Earlier this season, Johnson was traded by Baltimore to Carolina, a deal that included a sixth-round pick exchanged for a fifth-rounder.
Johnson's journey this year was also marred by off-field issues, including a suspension for conduct detrimental to the team prior to his release by the Ravens. Now, despite previously showcasing his skills as a Pro Bowl receiver in 2021 with the Steelers—where he amassed 107 catches for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns—Johnson finds himself seeking yet another opportunity to prove his value on the field.
For the Texans, the decision to waive Johnson comes at a critical juncture. Head coach DeMeco Ryans addressed the situation succinctly, stating, "With Diontae, unfortunately, it didn’t work out and we’re on to the Chiefs." This transition underscores the Texans' focus on their upcoming hurdles against one of the AFC's top contenders, the Chiefs.
The Texans face additional challenges as they prepare to take on Kansas City's formidable squad. Notably absent from their receiving corps will be Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, compounding the pressures on their offensive lineup. To mitigate these losses, receivers John Metchie III, Robert Woods, and Xavier Hutchinson are poised to support leading wideout Nico Collins in what promises to be a pivotal match for the Texans.
As the Texans regroup for a chance to topple the Chiefs, Johnson's departure highlights the constant shifts and strategic recalibrations teams often make in pursuit of playoff success. For NFL franchises, roster decisions are never easy, yet they are essential to crafting the most competitive team possible.
While Diontae Johnson navigates the uncertain waters of NFL free agency, he'll undoubtedly be looking to emulate past successes and capitalize on future opportunities. Whether this will be enough to earn him a stable spot on an NFL roster remains to be seen.
As Houston presses forward, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how this decision impacts the dynamics of their playoff run and what adjustments Ryans' squad will execute against the Chiefs.