The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a questionable wide receiving corps throughout the 2024 season aside from George Pickens. Calvin Austin III has stepped up from to time, but overall, fans are getting what they expected after the team traded Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in the 2024 offseason. Johnson's stint in Carolina was short, as he was dealt to the Baltimore Ravens. His time there was even shorter, as he was released just prior to a Week 16 matchup against the Steelers.
Shawn Hubbard / Baltimore Ravens
Former Steelers, Panthers, and Ravens receiver smiles on the field during his first day of practice with the Baltimore in 2024.
Johnson has been all over the place in 2024, and now will join a new team. The NFL waiver wire had claims go through on Monday, and the Houston Texans were awarded Johnson.
Sources: With Tank Dell out, the Houston Texans have claimed former Ravens WR Diontae Johnson on waivers.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 23, 2024
Johnson now will spend Christmas in the company of the Ravens, as Houston hosts Baltimore on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/uHsWqRZOTK
This is a very notable move this late in the season. Even if Pickens returns on Christmas Day, the Steelers need help when it comes to pass-catchers. Houston had a better waiver positioning than the Steelers due to record, so Pittsburgh will continue to search for answers, even if Pickens will be back on the field in just a few short days.
It's extremely interesting for Johnson, as Houston will have to play Baltimore on Wednesday. With such a quick turnaround, it's nearly impossible to expect Johnson to play with 48 hours to learn a brand new playbook. The Steelers could have used his services, but unfortunately, he will be with the Texans, a team that could host Pittsburgh in the Wild Card Round if the AFC North gets away from the Steelers.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A6200-544x306.jpg "Steelers Diontae Johnson")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Former Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson runs with the ball during a 2023 training camp practice at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Johnson has 422 catches, 4,726 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns in his career. He was drafted by the Steelers in the third round fo the 2019 NFL Draft. The wideout will be a free agent in 2025, so he may only be in Houston for a short time period. Regardless, it is pretty amazing that he will be playing for his fourth team in less than 12 months after being traded by General manager Omar Khan in March.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A7671-544x306.jpg "Steelers Omar Khan")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan signs for and meets with fans during the team's 2023 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Unable To Reunite With Johnson Despite Wideout Being Available On Waivers
After dealing Johnson to the Panthers, Pittsburgh was unable to trade for him when Carolina was shopping him around the deadline. This was because of an obscure NFL rule that did not allow the Steelers to acquire him. After Baltimore waived him, however, he became fair game. That didn't matter, though, as he will be a new member of the Texans after a brutal injury to Tank Dell in Week 16.
Do you think Johnson will help the Steelers for the rest of the season? Let us know in the comments below!
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