Texans
Why did the Texans release WR Diontae Johnson?
The Houston Texans released wide receiver Diontae Johnson ahead of their Divisional Round playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs this Saturday.

As the Houston Texans prepare to face the two-time defending Super Bowl champions this weekend, they’ll do so while running a bit thin at the wide receiver position. After their Wild Card win over the Los Angeles Chargers, the Texans decided to release WR Diontae Johnson after just two games with the team.
Why was Diontae Johnson released from the Texans?
The Texans make the third team to have released Johnson from their roster this season after the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens.
From when he was drafted in 2019 until 2023, Johnson played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he racked up 391 catches for 4,363 yards, and 25 touchdowns.
Ahead of the 2024 season, the Panthers acquired Johnson from the Steelers. He caught 30 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns before being traded to the Baltimore Ravens.
With the Ravens, Johnson was involved in some drama. He played just 39 snaps with one reception for six yards. On December 1, he refused to play in their game against the Philadelphia Eagles and was subsequently suspended for one game, and later released.
The Texans picked up Johnson on December 23. In their season finale against the Tennessee Titans, Johnson had just two receptions for 12 yards. In their Wild Card win over the Los Angeles Chargers, he played just 15 of the Texans' 70 offensive snaps and caught the one pass thrown his way for 12 yards. The Texans waived him on Tuesday ahead of their Divisional clash with the Chiefs this Saturday.
When Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans was asked about Johnson, he said simply that “it didn’t work out”, before quickly moving “on to the Chiefs”.
Despite the fact that the Texans won their first playoff game, it was reported that Johnson was visibly upset in the locker room afterwards as other teammates tried to encourage him and calm him down. His frustration with his lack of playing time has been a theme with each team he’s played for this season, and that attitude could be the reason he continues to be released from teams, despite the fact that those teams need receiving depth.
Here’s how the Texans' wide receiver depth chart looks now:
- Nico Collins
- Robert Woods
- John Metchie III
- Xavier Hutchinson
Collins is the Texans' main man at receiver with Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs both still out with injuries, but behind him, they are lacking. In their victory over the Chargers, Woods and Metchie III combined for just six receptions on 12 targets for 50 yards. Hutchinson was only targeted once, but it was good for 34 yards. The Texans are still in need of answers at the WR position, but apparently Diontae Johnson wasn’t it.
The Texans face the Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round this Saturday, January 18 at 4:30 p.m. ET. at Arrowhead Stadium. Follow along with our live text coverage of the game, brought to you by yours truly, right here on AS USA.
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