Diontae Johnson's 2024 odyssey has reached another twist.
The Texans waived Johnson on Tuesday, the team announced.
"With Diontae, unfortunately it didn't work out and we're on to the Chiefs," Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said succinctly Tuesday afternoon after the move had been announced.
Johnson began the 2024 campaign as a trade addition for the Carolina Panthers, proving himself as their top target in the passing game early in the season despite changes at quarterback during the year. He caught 30 of his 58 targets for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games, demonstrating enough value to become at attractive target at the 2024 trade deadline.
That led Johnson to Baltimore, where the Ravens sought a veteran receiver to add to their young corps as the backstretch of the regular season approached. They received the opposite of that, watching Johnson catch just one pass in four games before he refused to enter their Week 13 game against the Eagles and prompting the team to suspend him before ultimately waiving him on Dec. 20.
Houston added Johnson via waivers in late December following the loss of Tank Dell -- their second big injury at receiver in 2024 -- and Johnson suited up for the Texans in two games, catching three of his five targets for 24 yards. That's where his road with Houston ended, though, as the team parted with the former Pro Bowler on Tuesday following their playoff win over the Los Angeles Chargers in which Johnson recorded one catch for 12 yards.
At 28 years old, Johnson's actions certainly haven't helped preserve his value as a free agent entering the 2025 offseason. We'll see if he can convince a team to consider him for employment in the new year.
The Texans next face the No. 1 seeded Kanas City Chiefs on Saturday in the Divisional Round
