For Baltimore-Houston:
— Ravens WR Zay Flowers, questionable with a shoulder injury, is expected to play.
— Texans WR Diontae Johnson, just acquired via waivers, is planning to make his Houston debut in Week 18 vs. the Titans. Today is too quick.

Related Players: Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Tylan Wallace

This is a nice Christmas Day matchup for Flowers, so keep him locked into WR2 range if he's ready by kickoff.

The Ravens won’t have to wait long to see Diontae Johnson again.

The NFL’s daily transaction report shows that the Texans have claimed the veteran wide receiver off of waivers. The Ravens cut Johnson last Friday after a brief stint with the team that ended in acrimony when Johnson refused to enter the team’s Week 13 game. The two teams will play each other on Wednesday.

The loss of Tank Dell leaves the Texans shorthanded at WR so the move makes some sense. It's hard to say just when, or even if, Johnson will take the field for the Texans. Even if Johnson plays in Week 17, he just can't be trusted as a fantasy option, especially since it's likely like the fantasy finals for your league. It seems the realistic hope for Johnson would be to get some snaps in before the end of the regular season, and then be a reliable option in the NFL playoffs. Given the news has been mostly negative about Johnson this season, that could be considered a longshot.

The Ravens posted the following statement:

"We have mutually agreed with Diontae Johnson to excuse him from team activities this week."

Reports say this is not additional suspension time and the team and Johnson are working through the situation. It seems like a split may be coming sooner than later. Johnson was suspended for one game by the team for not entering the game in Week 13 against the Eagles.

Ravens EVP and GM Eric DeCosta announced that Diontae Johnson’s one-game suspension stemmed from the wide receiver refusing to enter Sunday’s game against the Eagles.

Related Players: Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Devontez Walker

Yikes. If you haven't already, Johnson is completely free to be dropped to waiver wires for the remainder of the 2024 season.

Harbaugh said that Rashod Bateman has a sore knee and he's getting treatment.
"It's not a long-term thing."

Related players: Diontae Johnson, Nelson Agholor, Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Justice Hill

There was no other timetable, according to the post. It's possible Bateman is good to go in Week 15, after the bye this week. If Bateman misses time, it's not likely another WR steps up as a fantasy factor at this point, especially with Andrews, Likely and Hill combining for 21 targets against the Eagles this past week.

The Ravens added wide receiver Diontae Johnson and running back Keaton Mitchell to the offensive mix over the last couple of weeks and they have eyes on expanding both of their roles in Week 11 and beyond.

Johnson played five snaps last Thursday and caught one pass for six yards in the 35-34 win over the Bengals. Johnson played 17 snaps in his first game after being acquired in a trade with the Panthers and head coach John Harbaugh said he’s in line for more work against the Steelers.

Harbaugh said the team plans to ramp up Johnson for this week's game against the Steelers. Those owning Johnson in fantasy may want to take the wait-and-see approach, however, before putting Johnson back into their lineups. We reported on Mitchell's potential increase in work in another news story here on our site.

Trade: Carolina is sending wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens, sources tell ESPN.

Related players: Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo

The Panthers get a 5th round pick. It didn't take the Panthers long after rumors were starting to circulate Johnson was in play. The landing spot in Baltimore is interesting to say the least. The big question is will the Ravens consistently throw the ball enough with Travis Henry and Lamar Jackson for Johnson, Flowers and Andrews to keep their fantasy value. It remains to be seen who takes the biggest hit to their value, but the odds seem to favor Flowers here. Meanwhile in Carolina, Thielen is about to return but it's likely time to see what Legette and Mingo can do for the Panthers and the future of their offense.

Sources: There’s a growing belief around the NFL that the Panthers are increasingly likely to trade WR Diontae Johnson before the trade deadline.

Related players: Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Coker

Multiple contending teams are interested, though determining Johnson’s value has been challenging with him in the last year of his contract, the post went on to say. There isn't much reason to keep Johnson in Carolina. He's certainly flashed this year, but it was only with Andy Dalton under center. The Panthers would be able to give the snaps and targets to Legette and Mingo, who were early picks each of the last two seasons in the NFL Draft. Johnson going to a potential contender with a veteran QB would be a huge boost to his fantasy value.

The Panthers ruled out WRs Diontae Johnson (rib) and WR Adam Thielen (hamstring), while QB Andy Dalton (right thumb) is doubtful.

So it'll be Bryce Young throwing to backup receivers on Sunday in Denver.

Related Players: Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, David Moore, Jalen Coker

It's probably not a good idea to start any Panthers players this week, and that likely includes Chuba Hubbard.

Panthers WR Diontae Johnson (ribs) is not practicing again.

Related Players: Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker

Johnson sure has been dealing with a lot of ailments this season. He's borderline unstartable with Bryce Young back at the helm regardless, and even more so if he's limited in any capacity.