The Ravens have suspended veteran broad receiver Diontae Johnson for one recreation, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Common supervisor Eric DeCosta issued the next assertion on the workforce’s choice: “We’ve got made the tough choice to droop Diontae Johnson for our upcoming recreation in opposition to the New York Giants for conduct detrimental to the workforce. Diontae’s suspension stems from refusing to enter our recreation 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 damage 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 type of inner difficulty that DeCosta’s assertion revealed.
Johnson has been lively 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 damage gave the impression to be a chance 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 yr for Johnson, who averaged 51.0 yards per recreation in Carolina earlier than his commerce to the Ravens. Johnson rapidly grew pissed off 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 workforce is contemplating shifting on from the veteran receiver. Baltimore nonetheless thinks that Johnson “might assist them down the stretch,” according to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz, particularly if Bateman misses time. Nonetheless, a workforce with sturdy playoff possibilities and Tremendous Bowl aspirations wants “everybody to be absolutely dedicated and team-focused,” per Schultz, forcing the Ravens to find out if Johnson is value preserving 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 might be ineligible to play.