Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson is expected to be claimed on waivers before he gets back to the Steelers, according to a report on Saturday by Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Johnson was placed on waivers by the Baltimore Ravens on Friday, and will remain there until the Monday 4 p.m. claiming deadline. But Schefter reported that not only is Johnson not expected to clear, he said that potential landing spots include the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chargers are currently 21st in waiver priority. The Steelers are 26th. The Chiefs are dead last at 32nd. The waiver priority is determined by the inverse league standings, similarly to the NFL Draft order.
Johnson was released on Friday after two months in Baltimore, during which he played in one game. His time with the Ravens took a turn on Dec. 1, when he refused to enter the team’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. After the team’s bye, the Ravens suspended Johnson for their Week 15 game against the New York Giants. The Ravens then announced earlier this week that Johnson would stay at home for team practices and would not play against the Steelers on Saturday.
The Ravens likely made the decision to wait until Friday to release Johnson to keep him from potentially re-joining the Steelers before the game between the teams at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday, but it looks like that will not come to pass.
A claiming team would have to pick up the remainder of Johnson’s contract, which is approximately $70,000 for the final two weeks of the regular season. He will become a free agent this March. If he clears waivers, he would be free to sign with any team for any amount, on their 53-man roster or practice squad.
Johnson was originally drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Steelers and spent his first five NFL seasons in Pittsburgh. He was traded to the Panthers by the Steelers this March in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson and a swap of draft picks.
Without Baltimore, the Ravens are shorthanded at receiver for Saturday’s game, as starter Nelson Agholor is out with a concussion and fellow starter Rashod Bateman is questionable with a foot injury. Special teamer Tylan Wallace and rookie Tez Walker could be in line to start against the Steelers.
Baltimore recalled former Steelers wide receiver Anthony Miller from the practice squad for Saturday’s game.