Ravens walked into their own trap when it comes to Diontae Johnson’s suspension
The Baltimore Ravens have decided to suspend wide reciever Diontae Johnson for one game due to conduct detrimental to the team. In a statement, they say that it is because Johnson refused to enter the game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. He will now be sidelined for their next game against the New York […]
The Baltimore Ravens have decided to suspend wide reciever Diontae Johnson for one game due to conduct detrimental to the team.
In a statement, they say that it is because Johnson refused to enter the game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. He will now be sidelined for their next game against the New York Giants.
Here is the full statement:
"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.
Diontae's suspension stems from refusing to enter our game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
We will have no further comments on this matter going forward."
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was asked about Johnson after the loss, but declined to comment on his playing time.
"Yes, I’m not really ready to comment on that right now," Harbaugh said. "I will be, [but I] just don’t have enough information right now to talk about that.”
However, the Ravens have made a decision.
A to Z Sports' Rob Gregson provided some more context on the suspension.
"While the Ravens suspending Diontae Johnson might seem strong, those familiar with his time in Pittsburgh won’t be surprised. By the end of 2023, Johnson had made enemies with stars like Minkah Fitzpatrick, openly defied HC Mike Tomlin to the media, and quit on his team multiple times during games. The headaches he caused began to outweigh his production and the Panthers and Ravens have learned that a change of scenery doesn’t always change the person," Gregson wrote.
When the Ravens traded for Johnson in October, they were aware of his checkered past with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But they reportedly weren't worried about it.
"As for whether there’s any concern of Johnson’s history with the Pittsburgh Steelers and some reported instances of upheaval carrying over (including a “heated locker room argument with FS Minkah Fitzpatrick after the safety took issue with Johnson’s treatment of the coaches on the sideline;” and “seemingly walk(ing) away from the opportunity to recover" RB Jaylen Warren’s fumble in a game against the Bengals last season, per USA Today’s Steelers Wire), I’m told Johnson will have an opportunity to mold his own future in Baltimore. The feeling is that “people can grow up and mature and have their eyes opened" when in a new environment of hope and optimism. Still I’m told it’ll be “up to him” to make the most of this chance."
– Josina Anderson, NFL Insider, Via X-Twitter
Hopefully Johnson and the Ravens will be able to put this behind them. Especially because quarterback Lamar Jackson wants the receiver out on the field.
"We want him out there," Jackson said. "He's a great receiver. We didn't get him from the Panthers for nothing."
