The Houston Texans have claimed a former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver after losing Tank Dell to a season-ending injury.
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According to multiple NFL insiders, the Texans claimed Diontae Johnson on Monday. He will join the injury-plagued offense as it prepares for a Christmas day game against the Ravens (4:30 p.m. ET). It remains unclear if Johnson will be able to suit up for the Texans on such a quick turnaround.
Dell suffered the injury on Saturday against the Chiefs. He caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback CJ Stroud but fell awkwardly after teammate Jared Wayne collided with his leg. Dell remained on the ground and had to be taken from the field to a Kansas City hospital.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed on Monday that Dell dislocated his kneecap during the play. Ryans also announced that Dell tore his ACL and sustained other damage. He will undergo surgery and will miss the rest of the season.
Dell is the second starting receiver to head to Injured Reserve this season. Stefon Diggs tore his ACL during an October game against the Colts. He has been out of the lineup since. Additionally, tight end Brevin Jordan headed to Injured Reserve in September after an ACL tear.
A former third-round pick in 2019, Johnson has suited up for three teams in his NFL career so far. He spent the first five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2021 after surpassing 1,100 yards receiving.
Johnson joined the Carolina Panthers at the start of the 2024 season. He suited up for seven games and caught 30 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns. He then headed to the Baltimore Ravens ahead of the trade deadline.
Johnson only appeared in four games after the trade. He caught one pass for six yards. He also received a one-game suspension from the team after refusing to enter the Week 13 loss against the Eagles. The Ravens excused Johnson from team activities before ultimately releasing him.
The veteran receiver now heads to Houston as the Texans try to get pieces in place before the playoffs. First, however, they have to take on a Ravens team trying to win the AFC North.
"My message to our guys is it's about just having laser focus," Ryans said on Monday. "There are a lot of things that can pull our attention in many different directions — physically, emotionally, everything that's going on right now, short week, Christmas.
"There are a lot of things that can pull our energy, but right now, we have to be laser-focused on Baltimore."
