Johnson signed a contract with the Browns on Monday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. After spending the first five years of his career with the Steelers, the 2019 third-rounder was shipped to the Panthers last offseason, dealt to the Ravens in late October and also had a brief stint with the Texans down the stretch after a tumultuous time in Baltimore. Between the three teams, Johnson hauled in 33 of 67 targets for 375 yards and three touchdowns in 12 regular-season games. All but the TD mark were career lows. Upon joining Cleveland, he'll be a part of his third AFC North organization and likely will be in the mix for regular snaps in a receiving corps without established options beyond Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman (concussion).
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Status
ACTIVELatest Diontae Johnson news
Team
Cleveland Browns
Birthdate
7/5/1996 (28)
Status
Active
HT/WT
5'10", 183 lbs
Draft Info
2019: Rd 3; Pk (PIT)
Birthplace
Ruskin, FL, USA
Position
WR
College
Toledo
Experience
7 seasons
Career History
Carolina Panthers
2024-2025
(1 season)
Houston Texans
2024-2024
(1 season)
Baltimore Ravens
2024-2024
(1 season)
Pittsburgh Steelers
2019-2024
(5 seasons)
Johnson signed a contract with the Browns on Monday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. After spending the first five years of his career with the Steelers, the 2019 third-rounder was shipped to the Panthers last offseason, dealt to the Ravens in late October and also had a brief stint with the Texans down the stretch after a tumultuous time in Baltimore. Between the three teams, Johnson hauled in 33 of 67 targets for 375 yards and three touchdowns in 12 regular-season games. All but the TD mark were career lows. Upon joining Cleveland, he'll be a part of his third AFC North organization and likely will be in the mix for regular snaps in a receiving corps without established options beyond Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman (concussion).
The Ravens have claimed Johnson off waivers from the Texans, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Per Schefter, the transaction is a procedural move in that Johnson won't officially be awarded to the Ravens until after the Super Bowl, and thus won't be a postseason option for the team. Beyond that, Johnson will be in line to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and, if he catches on with another team, his signing would factor into Baltimore's compensatory draft pick formula. In 12 regular season games (seven with Carolina, four with Baltimore and one with Houston), Johnson recorded a 33/375/3 receiving line on 67 targets.
The Texans waived Johnson on Tuesday. In moving on from Johnson, the Texans appear to be comfortable proceeding with Nico Collins, Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie as their receiver group for the remainder of the postseason. Claimed off waivers from the Ravens in late December, Johnson played a total of 38 offensive snaps for the Texans across two contests, which came in Week 18 against the Titans (22) and in last Saturday's wild-card playoff win over the Chargers (16). He accrued three catches for 24 scoreless yards in the two games and was seemingly dissatisfied with his muted role on offense, as Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston relays that the 28-year-old was visibly upset following Saturday's win and needed to be calmed down by teammates. Johnson will now be looking for a fourth team this season, though it would be surprising if another playoff team added him to its roster. Assuming he clears waivers and becomes a free agent, Johnson will be seeking his fifth team in less than a calendar year after stints with Pittsburgh, Carolina, Baltimore and Houston.
Johnson caught his lone target for 12 yards in Saturday's 32-12 win over the Chargers in the wild-card round. Johnson appeared in his second game for the Texans since the club claimed him off waivers prior to Week 17. His 16 snaps were fifth among Houston wideouts, which is natural given he's been exposed to the system for a relatively short time.
Johnson caught two of four targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 23-14 win over the Titans. Johnson made his debut for the Texans after he was claimed off waivers prior to Week 17. He played 22 snaps and is expected to have a role in next Saturday's home playoff game against the Chargers as well. Given season-ending injuries to Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee), a playoff-experienced Johnson could be a factor. He's appeared in three postseason games while with the Steelers, which may be useful as John Metchie was removed from Sunday's game and placed in the NFL's concussion protocol.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday that Johnson will play in Sunday's game against the Titans, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports. Locked into the AFC's No. 4 seed, Houston has an opportunity to evaluate young players and give their new signing some game reps. Ryans didn't comment on playing-time expectations for his starters but did seem to acknowledge the possibility of removing them early, telling reporters Wednesday that he'd "see how the game goes." Either way, Johnson figures to get some run after being claimed off waivers last Monday.
Johnson practiced Monday for the first time since the Texans claimed him off waivers, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Johnson, who was on the receiving end of passes from quarterback C.J. Stroud during Monday morning's session, is embracing a fresh start in Houston after a rocky seven-week tenure with the Ravens. The Texans have a glaring need at wideout with Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee) on injured reserve. That suggests Johnson could have a significant role in the playoffs -- Houston is locked in as the fourth seed in the AFC and will host a first-round playoff game -- but the first order of business is finding chemistry with Stroud. Much of that chemistry may have to be established in practice settings, as it's unclear how much playing time Stroud will get Week 18 against the Titans.
Johnson (coach's decision) is inactive for Wednesday's game against the Ravens. Houston claimed Johnson off waivers from Baltimore on Monday, but given the quick turnaround for the Christmas Day matchup with his former Ravens squad, the wideout won't be asked to make his Texans debut with limited time to familiarize himself with a new playbook. Instead, Johnson will turn his focus toward debuting for Houston in Week 18 versus the Titans. On Wednesday, Nico Collins, John Metchie, Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson and Jared Wayne will represent Houston's available options at wide receiver.
Johnson is unlikely to make his debut with the Texans in Wednesday's game against the Ravens, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports. The Texans claimed Johnson off waivers from Baltimore on Monday to bolster the team's wideout corps following the season-ending knee injury sustained by Tank Dell. Rapoport notes that Johnson is planning to make his debut with his new team in Week 18 against the Titans. Prior to joining the Texans, Johnson recorded 31 catches for 363 yards and three TDs in 11 games (seven with Carolina and four with Baltimore).