The Houston Texans are on the cusp of history as they prepare to take on the defending champion en route to their first-ever AFC Championship Game. However, they have waived off their wide receiver just days before the game.
Diontae Johnson is gaining somewhat of a cult status with the NFL fanbase. The reasons are simple, Johnson has suited up for four different teams in the last 14 months.
NFL Fans Can’t Believe Diontae Johnson Gets Waived off From the Texans
On Dec. 23, 2024, the Texans claimed Johnson from the waivers list. Houston had been depleted due to injuries to their star wide receivers and wanted to bolster their bench for the playoffs.
Johnson came in handy as well, the 28-year-old played his part in the Wild Card game against the Chargers.
However, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport took to X (formerly Twitter) to convey that he has been waived off by the Texans as well.
“The Texans have waived WR Diontae Johnson,” he tweeted.
The #Texans have waived WR Diontae Johnson.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2025
This simple post sent the fans into a frenzy. As of now, Houston has not stated their reasons for booting off Johnson, but fans still can’t believe that he is out in 22 days. “At some point, you have to look in the mirror and see the problem,” replied one fan.
“Absolutely insane man!” tweeted a fan.
Absolutely insane man!
— Aabid (@theabuabid) January 14, 2025
“Never seen a falloff as hard and as fast as him lol,” one fan added.
“He is going to run out of teams,” responded another fan.
He is going to run out of teams
— PH 🗯 (@whiskeytailgate) January 14, 2025
“To waive him right before possibly the biggest playoff game in our team’s history really shows how much of a head case he must be,” tweeted another fan.
To waive him right before possibly the biggest playoff game in our team’s history really shows how much of a head case he must be #texans https://t.co/pTPrS39tpJ
— Houston Risen (@HoustonRisen) January 14, 2025
“Man playing himself out of the league,” another fan added.
Johnson’s Tumultuous Season
The WR was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 during the third round. He played 77 games for them over five years and signed a two-year extension as well in 2022. However, after a disappointing 2023 season, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers for a draft pick swap.
The Panthers’ offense struggled from Day 1, hence they chose to offload him to the Baltimore Ravens in favor of a fifth- and sixth-round pick. His deadline-day trade suggested he will finish the season with the Ravens.
However, the WR had several issues on and off the field, leading to a one-game suspension in Baltimore. On Dec. 20 he was waived off by the Ravens.