Just two games played was all it took for the Texans to wave the white flag.
Houston waived Diontae Johnson on Tuesday, marking the third team that has moved on from the troubled wide receiver this season.
The 28-year-old wideout only contributed three receptions for 24 yards to the Texans, including his one catch for 12 yards in the team’s wild-card win over the Chargers on Saturday.
Houston Texans wide receiver Diontae Johnson (82) runs the ball after a reception against Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Deane Leonard (33) and safety Derwin Jarnes Jr. (3) during the third quarter in an AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
According to KPRC’s Aaron Wilson, Johnson was visibly distraught after the catch and teammates, including captain Azeez Al-Shaair, tried to calm him down over what he believes to be another disappointing role that has led to missed opportunity.
As a result, Johnson is a pending unrestricted free agent as the Texans prep to face the Chiefs in the Divisional Round.
In his six-year career, Johnson has been through four teams, enduring two trades and two cuts.
Prior to the 2024-25 season, he was traded to the Panthers from the Steelers, who he was with for five seasons.
His Houston downfall comes on the heels of a problematic seven weeks with the Ravens, who cut Johnson on Dec. 20, which made for a failed trade from the Panthers.
In Baltimore, drama stirred up from Johnson’s outwardly expressed displeasure with the lack of touches and opportunities he would get with the NFC North champs and it eventually boiled over enough for the Ravens to place him on waivers.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Diontae Johnson warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Baltimore. AP
Johnson only had one catch for 6 yards across four games with the Ravens, and was only present for 16 percent of the team’s offensive snaps. He was also suspended for refusing to enter a game against the Eagles on Dec. 1.
However, the No. 66 overall pick of the the 2019 draft was seemingly off to a good start with the Texans, as head coach DeMeco Ryans indicated prior to the Chargers game on Saturday.
“With Diontae, I was really impressed with this last week of practice,” Ryans said. “I thought he picked up on the things we were asking him to do. I thought he had some really nice catches, really nice plays throughout practice and he got in the game. We were able to get him a little involved in the game as well. I thought he handled himself really well. We will start to continue to feed him more to see how he can help us.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (5) before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
“The skillset, the talent is there it is just a matter of him integrating into our offense and making sure we put him in positions to where we can accentuate his talents because he is a talented player. He has made a ton of plays in this league, and it is exciting to see what he has been able to do on the practice field. So, I am excited to see that come to life on gamedays. He has done a great job, happy to work with Diontae. He has been a pleasure to work with.”
However, seemingly things changed after kickoff.
Johnson’s best season that earned him his one and only Pro Bowl nod came in 2021 with the Steelers. He had 107 receptions to go for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Lennard, Fla. native has not hit 1,000 yards since.
