Texans Waive Wide Receiver Diontae Johnson Ahead of Crucial Playoff Showdown
In a move that underscores the tumultuous path of wide receiver Diontae Johnson's 2023 season, the Houston Texans have elected to waive him just days before their divisional-round playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs. This decision closes a brief chapter with the Texans, which saw Johnson join the team on December 23 after previously being waived by the Baltimore Ravens.
Johnson's stint with Houston was marked by limited but promising contributions. He played in two crucial games before his waiver—his presence as a rotational piece was evident during the team's regular-season finale against the Tennessee Titans, where he recorded two catches for a modest 12 yards. His role was slightly more active during the Texans' Wild Card round victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, where he was targeted once for another 12-yard gain while participating in 16 offensive snaps, accounting for 22 percent of the team's offensive plays.
A Brief but Diverse Season
The 2023 NFL season has been a whirlwind journey for Johnson. Before donning the Texans' colors, he saw action with several franchises, starting his season with the Pittsburgh Steelers and moving through stints with the Carolina Panthers and the Baltimore Ravens. His transaction history this year also included a trade from the Ravens to the Panthers, a move that included a sixth-round draft pick in exchange for a fifth-round pick, further highlighting the industry’s high-stakes nature and the value placed on player movement strategies.
Johnson's time with the Panthers was marred by off-field issues as he faced a suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. His subsequent release by the Ravens opened the door for his fleeting opportunity with the Texans. Despite his limited play this year, Johnson's resume boasts an impressive 2021 season with the Steelers, where he earned a Pro Bowl nod after an impressive tally of 107 receptions, 1,161 yards, and eight touchdowns.
Texans Face Chiefs Without Key Offensive Weapons
As the Texans gear up for their critical clash with the Chiefs, they do so without some of their offensive mainstays, particularly wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, who are sidelined for this pivotal matchup. The Texan's receiving corps will rely heavily on John Metchie III, Robert Woods, and Xavier Hutchinson to support Nico Collins, a lineup set to step up against a formidable Chiefs defense.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans reflected on the decision to part ways with Johnson, stating, "With Diontae, unfortunately, it didn’t work out and we’re on to the Chiefs." This brief yet resolute statement encapsulates the harsh realities and the fast-paced decisions that teams face in high-stakes postseason play.
Johnson's journey throughout the league this year reflects the challenging and often unstable career paths professional athletes may endure. It remains unclear where Johnson's next opportunity will arise, but his story this season serves as a testament to both his resilience and the unpredictability of professional football. For the Texans, the focus sharpens on their playoff ambitions, hoping their current roster can rise to the challenge posed by the Kansas City Chiefs.