The Ravens have suspended veteran vast receiver Diontae Johnson for one sport, per NFL Community’s Mike Garafolo.
Normal supervisor Eric DeCosta issued the next assertion on the staff’s choice: “Now we have made the troublesome choice to droop Diontae Johnson for our upcoming sport in opposition to the New York Giants for conduct detrimental to the staff. Diontae’s suspension stems from refusing to enter our sport in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles.”
DeCosta added that the Ravens wouldn’t have any further touch upon the scenario shifting ahead.
Johnson didn’t play a single snap within the Ravens’ Week 13 loss to the Eagles regardless of a knee harm that knocked starter Rashod Bateman out of the sport. Head coach John Harbaugh declined to elaborate on Johnson’s absence after the sport, although his feedback hinted on the kind of inner problem that DeCosta’s assertion revealed.
Johnson has been energetic for all 5 video games since his arrival in Baltimore however solely performed 39 snaps on offense, with only one catch for six yards on 5 targets. Bateman’s harm seemed to be a possibility for the veteran wideout to see extra targets from Lamar Jackson, however Johnson refused to enter the sport, resulting in his suspension. Nelson Agholor and Tylan Wallace crammed in for Bateman as an alternative, with Agholor unable to reel in his two targets whereas Wallace caught each of his for 14 yards.
The suspension continues a tumultuous contract 12 months for Johnson, who averaged 51.0 yards per sport in Carolina earlier than his commerce to the Ravens. Johnson shortly grew annoyed along with his minimal function in Baltimore’s offense, although it’s unclear why he turned down the chance for extra snaps when it arose.
The Ravens’ choice to droop Johnson indicators that the staff is contemplating shifting on from the veteran receiver. Baltimore nonetheless thinks that Johnson “may assist them down the stretch,” in keeping with FOX Sports activities’ Jordan Schultz, particularly if Bateman misses time. Nonetheless, a staff with sturdy playoff possibilities and Tremendous Bowl aspirations wants “everybody to be totally dedicated and team-focused,” per Schultz, forcing the Ravens to find out if Johnson is value holding round.
Baltimore has a while to weigh their choices with a bye week earlier than their Week 15 matchup in opposition to the Giants, by which Johnson will likely be ineligible to play.
