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Ravens Waive Former Steelers WR Diontae Johnson
The Baltimore Ravens have placed former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson on waivers, the team announced on Friday, ending his tenure with the team after he was acquired at the trade deadline from the Carolina Panthers.
Johnson’s 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.
Johnson will be on waivers until Monday at 4 p.m., meaning that he will not be able to play for any team this week. The Steelers are currently 26th in waiver wire order, ahead of only the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs.
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.
The Ravens obviously believe there is a chance that Johnson could return to the Steelers. They paid Johnson an extra week of salary to avoid releasing him until after their final regular season game against Pittsburgh this season.
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.
Could he return to Pittsburgh? The Steelers are thin at wide receiver with George Pickens out with a hamstring injury, but personality conflicts caused his initial departure from the Steelers, and it’s unclear if those have been resolved. Johnson said he holds no ill-will toward the Steelers stemming from his trade.
RELATED: Ravens WR Diontae Johnson Has No Hard Feelings Toward Steelers: ‘It’s All Love’
Johnson quickly fell out of favor in Carolina and was traded to Baltimore at the deadline, along with a 2025 sixth-round pick, in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. He played in four games with Baltimore, including in Pittsburgh, before his release. He was targeted five times and made one catch for six yards.
His absence will leave the Ravens 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.
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