The Baltimore Ravens appeared to address their wide receiver needs before the trade deadline by acquiring Diontae Johnson from the Carolina Panthers. However, Johnson’s impact has been minimal, and on Wednesday, the Ravens suspended him for one game.
Reports indicate that during the Week 13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Johnson refused to enter the game when asked, explaining why he recorded no snaps. Head coach John Harbaugh remained vague about the situation post-game, and now the reason is clear.
This isn’t Johnson’s first conflict with a team. His brief stint with the Panthers was marked by friction, with team insider Joe Person noting that Johnson practiced and played only when it suited him. In a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Person said, “Johnson was a poor fit for a first-year coach trying to build a culture. The Panthers knew his history but were desperate for wide receiver help.” Johnson’s time in Carolina was marred by inconsistency, including random practice availability and sitting out Week 8 with a rib injury despite declaring himself ready days earlier.
Now, tensions have come to a head with the Ravens. Baltimore’s limited use of Johnson has raised questions, but the suspension sheds light on the situation. Whether the team and player can mend the relationship remains uncertain, but the Ravens could benefit from Johnson’s reliable hands on offense. For now, they’ll have to manage without him, as he won’t suit up when the Ravens return from their bye in Week 15 against the New York Giants.
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