The Baltimore Ravens have suspended wide receiver Diontae Johnson for one game due to “conduct detrimental to the team,” following an incident in which he “refused to enter our game against the Philadelphia Eagles” on Sunday. As a result, Johnson will miss the Ravens’ Week 15 game against the New York Giants after their upcoming bye week. This suspension clarifies the reason behind Johnson’s absence in Baltimore’s recent loss to the Eagles, during which he registered zero snaps.
Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta addressed the suspension in a statement, saying, “We have made the difficult decision to suspend Diontae Johnson for our upcoming game against the New York Giants for conduct detrimental to the team. We will have no further comments on this matter going forward.” The statement is clear and to the point, offering little explanation beyond the decision itself.
Johnson’s lack of participation during the Eagles game raised many questions, especially when the Ravens chose to replace the injured Rashod Bateman with Tylan Wallace instead. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was initially vague when asked about the situation, leaving open the possibility of Johnson being released. However, two days later, it was confirmed that the team had opted to suspend him, sending him home before they returned to action.
Baltimore acquired Johnson in a trade with the Carolina Panthers during the 2024 season, sending a conditional Day 3 draft pick in exchange for the receiver. The trade seemed like a smart move, as Johnson brought AFC North experience from his five years with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his brief time with the Panthers, Johnson had caught 30 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns. However, his tenure with the Ravens has been underwhelming, as he has only registered one catch for 6 yards in five games. His lack of production has overshadowed any potential he showed earlier in the season.
Johnson will now spend the next 11 days away from the spotlight, while the Ravens focus on their playoff push. The team, which has Super Bowl aspirations, has made it clear that they will not tolerate any distractions. Whether Johnson will play a part in their postseason pursuit remains uncertain.
