The Baltimore Ravens have suspended their wide receiver Diontae Johnson for one game, the team confirmed on Wednesday.
Ravens’ general manager Eric DeCosta said that the decision was made after Johnson refused to enter Sunday’s loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. The
Johnson not playing a single snap in the Eagles game was considered a head-scratcher, considering that the wideout Rashod Bateman went down with a knee injury in the second half. Ravens’ head coach, John Harbaugh, didn’t offer an explanation for his omission in the post-game conference, although he indicated Johnson’s time with the organization might have come to an end.
Johnson started the 2024 season with the Carolina Panthers and was the team’s leading wide receiver in the first seven games. He made 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns before being traded to Baltimore for a fifth-round pick.
Despite being expected to play an important role in the Ravens’ offense, Johnson saw little action in the past four weeks. He only played on 39 snaps and had one reception for six yards.
Johnson reportedly grew increasingly frustrated about his limited role, and his frustration boiled over against the Eagles when he didn’t receive an opportunity early in the game. He would go on to refuse to take the field later in the game despite multiple requests.
While the Ravens would likely benefit from having Johnson on the roster, considering Bateman’s injury and their lack of WR depth, it is hard to believe that he will get a pass for this kind of behavior and have an opportunity to finish the season in Baltimore.
