Houston Texans Waive Receiver Diontae Johnson Ahead of Chiefs Matchup
In a surprising roster move ahead of their pivotal divisional-round matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Houston Texans have waived wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Johnson, who joined the Texans on December 23 after being released by the Baltimore Ravens, will not be part of the team’s attempt to conquer the Chiefs this weekend.
Johnson's tenure with the Texans was brief yet noteworthy. He participated in the team’s regular-season finale against the Tennessee Titans, managing to catch two passes for 12 yards. During the Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Chargers, he was targeted once and successfully converted it into a 12-yard gain. Johnson played 16 snaps in that game, accounting for 22 percent of the offensive snaps, a respectable contribution for a player so recently added to the roster.
This season has been quite the journey for Diontae Johnson. Earlier in the year, he had stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens, and finally the Houston Texans. His move to the Panthers came about through a trade initiated by the Ravens, who sent Johnson along with a sixth-round draft pick in exchange for a fifth-round pick. However, his time there was marred by a suspension for conduct detrimental to the team, an issue that followed him to his latest signing with the Texans.
Johnson's performance as a wide receiver has previously earned him a Pro Bowl selection, particularly during his standout 2021 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he recorded 107 receptions, 1,161 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. These stats highlight the potential and talent that made Johnson a sought-after player despite his turbulent journey through multiple teams this year.
The decision to waive Johnson might reflect broader strategic adjustments by the Texans’ management and coaching staff as they prepare to face the formidable Kansas City Chiefs. The Texans will already be playing without key wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, leaving John Metchie III, Robert Woods, and Xavier Hutchinson to support Nico Collins as they carry the brunt of the receiving responsibilities during this crucial matchup.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans addressed the media about the decision, stating, "With Diontae, unfortunately, it didn’t work out and we’re on to the Chiefs." This succinct remark underscores the Texans' focus on moving forward and adapting to changes swiftly as they aim for success in the playoffs.
For the Texans and their fans, the upcoming game against the Chiefs is a pivotal moment in their season. With key lineup changes and the loss of recent acquisitions like Johnson, the Texans' offensive strategies will be under scrutiny. The pressure is on for the remaining wide receivers to deliver exceptional performances that could offset the absence of their waived colleague and other missing stars.
The Texans' decision to part ways with Johnson, along with the reconfiguration of their receiving corps, makes their upcoming game against the Chiefs an intriguing contest not only in terms of playoff competition but also for insight into how the team adapts and overcomes adversity. As the Texans continue their journey through the playoffs, all eyes will be on how effectively they can maintain their offensive edge and counter the challenges presented by the formidable Kansas City team.