Ex-Steelers WR Diontae Johnson in Hot Water After 5 Games With Baltimore Ravens

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Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson received a 1-game suspension from his new team, the Baltimore Ravens, on December 4.

Wide receiver Diontae Johnson has dressed for five games with the Baltimore Ravens this season. But he didn’t play in the team’s most recent matchup in Week 13.

That was a source of displeasure for the team. On December 4, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Ravens suspended Johnson for conduct detrimental to the team.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted a picture of a statement from Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta. The statement said the team was suspending Johnson for “refusing” to play against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 1.

“We have made the difficult decision to suspend Diontae Johnson for our upcoming game against the New York Giants for conduct detrimental to the team,” read the statement.

“Diontae’s suspension stems from refusing to enter our game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

“We will have no further comments on this matter going forward.”

Johnson didn’t play a snap in Week 13. During his first four games with the Ravens, Johnson had 1 catch for 6 yards. Besides his 1 catch, he’s been targeted just four other times.

He played 17 offensive snaps in his debut with the Ravens in Week 9. Since then, the veteran wideout has only lined up for 23 snaps in the past four weeks.

Ravens Suspend WR Diontae Johnson

The Ravens acquired Johnson from the Carolina Panthers in a late-round draft pick exchange on October 29. It appeared to be a smart trade, as roughly six months earlier, the Steelers landed starting cornerback Donte Jackson in a deal for Johnson.

But six weeks into his Ravens tenure, it now doesn’t look like the deal Baltimore needed. Johnson has barely contributed and is now becoming a distraction.

That isn’t necessarily surprising. During his final season with the Steelers, Johnson regularly caused controversy with everything from not trying to recover a fumble to accusing officials of taking bribes against the Steelers.

After last year’s loss at the Cleveland Browns, Schefter reported Johnson had a “heated locker-room argument” with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. The season prior, Johnson reportedly engaged in an halftime altercation with quarterback Mitch Trubisky during Week 4.

The Ravens have a bye in Week 14. So, Johnson will miss the Week 15 matchup against the New York Giants.

Ironically, Johnson will return for the Week 16 showdown against the Steelers.

Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Receives Praise After Johnson Suspension

One of the more popular responses from NFL pundits after Johnson received his suspension was about how Mike Tomlin handled the receiver.

Although Johnson caused plenty of drama in Pittsburgh, none of it was bad enough for him to receive a team suspension. Then during his first season with a different organization, just five weeks into his tenure with a Super Bowl contending AFC team, he receives a suspension.

“Put Mike Tomlin in the Hall of Fame and give him a Nobel Peace Prize while we’re at it,” wrote Fantasy Football analyst Scott Barrett on X. “+Antonio Brown, +Diontae Johnson, +George Pickens, +Chase Claypool, +Martavis Bryant.”

“Mike Tomlin is a wizard for putting up with Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson and George Pickens,” wrote Ravens enthusiast Garrett Ferguson on X.

“The Johnson news is why you deal with Tomlin’s *slight* flaws (see late game Browns management),” wrote Fantasy Football expert Ron Stewart. “Just a fantastic leader and motivator.”

In five seasons with the Steelers, Johnson posted 391 receptions, 4,363 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns. He made second-team All-Pro as a returner in his 2019 rookie season. He then earned a Pro Bowl nomination with 107 receptions and 1,161 receiving yards with 8 touchdowns during 2021.

Johnson has 31 catches, 363 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns with the Panthers and Ravens this season.