The Diontae Johnson saga in Baltimore took another strange turn. What happened to the Ravens wide receiver?
Diontae Johnson Excused From Team Activities
Statement from the Baltimore Ravens. pic.twitter.com/sg9seXfJMc
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 16, 2024
On Monday, Johnson and the Ravens mutually agreed to excuse the wide receiver from team activities this week.
Johnson was coming off a one-game suspension from the team after refusing to enter Baltimore’s Week 13 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
When asked about the decision to excuse Johnson from team activities, Ravens coach John Harbaugh deflected the question and instead chose to focus on the Ravens’ Week 16 opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“What I foresee really, to be honest with you, and all I’m really thinking about right now is Pittsburgh and getting our team ready for Pittsburgh,” Harbaugh said via Sarah Ellison. So, he won’t be here this week, and next week will take care of itself.
“I know you guys want to hear the story. There’s a lot of moving parts. There are reasons for doing things that are front office type reasons,” Harbaugh continued. “Do I want to sit here and get into all the different calculations that Eric makes? I really don’t. I want to think about Pittsburgh and our team get ready for Pittsburgh and the guys who are going to be here playing against Pittsburgh. That’s my focus 100%.”
The Johnson trade has been an abject failure for Baltimore. Johnson has made one catch since being acquired from the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 29.
Johnson was much more effective in Carolina, with 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns.
One of the reasons the Ravens could be keeping Johnson on the roster is to receive a compensatory pick in the 2026 draft. If Johnson is on the Ravens by the end of the season and signs with another team in the offseason, the Ravens will receive the compensatory pick. If he’s cut before the final game, the Ravens will not receive a draft pick.
Ravens Face Steelers In Massive Week 16 Contest
Diontae Johnson is no longer suspended. He has not been cut, either.
But, the team announced that the two sides have "mutually agreed" to excuse him from team activities this week.
John Harbaugh was asked if he foresees Johnson returning next week:
"What I foresee, really to… pic.twitter.com/K2lbiGl0Ho
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) December 16, 2024
The Ravens (9-5) host the Steelers (10-4) on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Pittsburgh currently holds the tiebreaker over Baltimore, having won the Nov. 17 matchup. If Baltimore loses, Pittsburgh clinches the AFC North.
The Ravens are coming off a 35-14 Week 15 win over the Giants. Lamar Jackson completed 21 of 25 passes for 290 yards and five touchdowns.
