The Houston Texans responded immediately to wide receiver Tank Dell’s serious knee injury in the NFL and secured a well-known replacement on Monday.
We’re talking about Diontae Johnson, who the Texans acquired off the waiver wire. Johnson was previously released by the Baltimore Ravens following differences with the team. Baltimore had previously signed the former Steelers star via trade from the Carolina Panthers later this season.
According to ESPN, the Los Angeles Chargers were the only team other than Houston that requested Johnson.
For the Ravens, Johnson played just 39 snaps in seven weeks with the team and caught one pass for six yards. Meanwhile, Johnson was only active in three games for the Ravens and, according to media reports, is said to have had a different view of his role in the team than the coaching staff. The latter saw the 28-year-old more as a supplementary player, while Johnson himself was apparently striving for a larger role and was therefore dissatisfied.
Johnson debut against Ravens of all places?
With this step, the Texans responded to the season-ending loss of Tank Dell, who dislocated his knee and tore his anterior cruciate ligament on Saturday against the Saints. The team had previously lost newcomer Stefon Diggs with a torn cruciate ligament. Behind star receiver Nico Collins, John Metchie, Robert Woods and Xavier Hutchinson are the best passing stations alongside tight end Dalton Schultz in the squad.
Curiously, the Texans will probably face the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas with Johnson in the squad. The latter also have waiver access to report: They secured the services of Steven Sims. The kick returner played for the Texans until the end and achieved 27.9 yards per kick return and 6.2 yards per punt return.
Despite the losses, the Texans are already in the playoffs as winners of the AFC South with a record of 9-6.