Former Steelers WR Diontae Johnson's Future In Baltimore Likely Over

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a chance to clinch the AFC North in Week 16 with a win against the Baltimore Ravens. This means a playoff game would be hosted in Pittsburgh for the first round of the playoffs. Home-field advantage in the postseason is huge and Steeler Nation would bring a lot of energy for this promising team. Although the Steelers lost against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15, they did still clinch a playoff berth and it'll be up to them to finish out the season strong. Pittsburgh has three games in 11 days and are going into its second one in that stretch in Baltimore on a quick six-day turnaround. The Steelers won't be facing one of their former wide receivers in this rematch however, which doesn't come as a surprise with what's happened recently.

Pittsburgh traded Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in the offseason and after seven games with the Panthers, Johnson was traded again to the Steelers' AFC North foe, the Ravens. Johnson's role in Baltimore made headlines as to how the Ravens would use him in two matchups against the Steelers. However, Johnson's usage in the Ravens' offense was next to nothing and after going through a suspension, the Ravens officially released a statement stating Johnson and the team mutually agreed to exclude him from any team activities this week.

This comes after many ups and downs Johnson and the Ravens have had during his short time in Baltimore. Johnson wasn't getting looked at much by Lamar Jackson and only accumulated one catch for six yards through four games played. Johnson also got targeted twice in Week 11's matchup against the Steelers, a game where fans speculated whether or not Johnson would be more of a weapon against his former team. After Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh didn't give a promising answer about Johnson's role in the offense, Johnson was suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team. Johnson's future in Baltimore seemed to be going downhill after the suspension and it only became more clearer when the Ravens released their official statement about Johnson on Monday.

Harbaugh held a press conference Monday and a Ravens reporter asked about Johnson's status in Baltimore. Harbaugh seems to be looking ahead.

"There are reasons for doing things, front office type of reasons," Harbaugh explained. "I want to think about Pittsburgh and the guys who are going to be here getting ready to play Pittsburgh. That's my focus 100 percent."

A main question from this news is why the Ravens don't just release Johnson since that's where it's most likely heading. It may have something to do with the Ravens playing the Steelers this week, but nothing is official on the reasoning for Johnson not being released. It's possible HBO's Hard Knocks could shed light on this matter and give us a behind the scenes look on this situation. In the meantime, it's only a matter of days before Johnson's officially released from the Ravens. Where he goes next will be determined and Steelers fans may be divided on if they would ever take him back.

Steelers' TJ Watt Not Yet Ruled Out For Week 16 Vs Ravens

TJ Watt has been showing up more consistently in previous weeks and had a good game against the Eagles despite the Steelers' loss. Watt had a huge turnover when he punched the ball out of Jalen Hurts' hands. The Steelers didn't do much with that opportunity as they ended up punting, but Watt still has that game wrecker mentality in him.

Watt did go down with an ankle injury late in the game, but Head Coach Mike Tomlin hasn't ruled him out yet for Week 16 against the Ravens. Watt is tough and he definitely wants to play for the division title Saturday, but the Steelers may play it safe as it'd be more important to have him fully healthy in the playoffs.

What do you think of the Johnson situation in Baltimore? Would you ever take him back in Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments below!

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