Diontae Johnson is back for a second stint with the Ravens — but it has nothing to do with trying to help them win a Super Bowl this season.
Baltimore claimed its former receiver off waivers from the Texans on Wednesday but won’t be officially able to add him to the roster until Feb. 10, the day after the Super Bowl.
Johnson will qualify as an unrestricted free agent this offseason, which is likely why the Ravens are brining him back.
The 28-year-old is being “awarded” to the Ravens, which qualifies them to land a 2026 compensatory draft pick should he sign elsewhere — allowing him to help Baltimore without stepping back on the field.
He was cut by the Texans on Tuesday following the team’s wild-card win over the Chargers after the former Steelers wideout was seen sitting at his locker upset about his lack of playing time and opportunities.
Johnson had just three catches for 24 yards in his two games with Houston, and head coach DeMeco Ryans was matter-of-fact in moving on from him.
The Texans visit the Chiefs in the divisional round on Saturday.
“Unfortunately, with Diontae, it didn’t work out,” Ryans told reporters on Tuesday. “We’re on to the Chiefs.”
The Texans brought in Johnson off waivers on Dec. 23 after the Ravens released him when he refused to go into the team’s game against the Eagles on Dec. 1.
He had just one catch for six yards for Baltimore.
Johnson, drafted in the third round in 2019, was one of the NFL’s most productive receivers during his five seasons with the Steelers.
He went on to have 391 catches for 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns and was a Pro Bowler in 2021, but was traded to the Panthers in March 2024.
Carolina shipped him to the Ravens in October, and now, he’s back in Charm City.
