Texans Waive Diontae Johnson Ahead of Clash with Chiefs
In a surprising move, the Houston Texans have parted ways with wide receiver Diontae Johnson just before their crucial face-off against the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round. The decision marks another chapter in Johnson’s tumultuous 2023 journey across the NFL landscape.
Journey Through the NFL
Johnson’s year has been nothing short of a whirlwind. Initially, he played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he once stood out as a Pro Bowl receiver during the 2021 season, hauling in 107 receptions for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns. Then he moved through the ranks of the Carolina Panthers and the Baltimore Ravens before landing with the Texans on December 23.
His time with the Texans was brief yet eventful. He managed to appear in two games, contributing modestly in the regular-season finale against the Tennessee Titans with two catches for 12 yards. But it was during the Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Chargers that he saw a bit more action, catching one pass for another 12 yards during 16 offensive snaps, which accounted for 22 percent of the team's plays.
A Rocky Road
Johnson’s journey had its share of bumps along the way. After his stint with the Ravens, he was traded to Carolina along with a sixth-round draft pick in exchange for a fifth-round pick. But his time there was overshadowed by a suspension due to conduct detrimental to the team before the Texans picked him up.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans was candid about the decision to part ways with Johnson by expressing, "With Diontae, unfortunately, it didn’t work out and we’re on to the Chiefs." It was clear from Ryans’ statement that the team preferred to focus on the upcoming challenges rather than dwell on recent changes.
Texans' Offensive Lineup Changes
As they gear up to battle the Chiefs, the Texans are facing their own set of challenges. They’ll be hitting the field without key wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell. However, they still have a promising roster to support Nico Collins, including John Metchie III, veteran Robert Woods, and emerging talent Xavier Hutchinson.
In this unpredictable world of professional football, the Texans’ evolving roster showcases the dynamic nature of the sport itself. As they prepare to take on the Chiefs, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how these strategic moves play out on the grand stage.