Ravens' Diontae Johnson: Uneventful return to Pittsburgh
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Johnson was held without a catch on two targets Sunday against the Steelers.
It was not an eventful homecoming for Johnson after spending the first five seasons of his career in Pittsburgh. He played 11 snaps and drew a pair of targets but failed to come down with either of them. Through three games with the Ravens, Johnson has one catch for six yards on 32 snaps and four targets. Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor remain the primary wide receivers for the Ravens, but there's a chance Johnson begins displacing Agholor once he gets more acclimated with the offense.
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Ravens' Diontae Johnson: Plays five snaps
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Johnson caught one of two targets for a six-yard gain in Thursday's 35-34 win over the Bengals.
Johnson's only catch in his second game for Baltimore was a short gain on which he was unable to get out of bounds right before halftime. He played just five snaps (eight percent), putting him behind fellow Ravens wide receivers Zay Flowers (83 percent), Rashod Bateman (78 percent), Nelson Agholor (49 percent) and Tylan Wallace (19 percent). Johnson's role should grow at least some in the coming weeks, but it didn't help his cause to see both Bateman (6-54-1) and Wallace (3-115-1) playing huge parts in Thursday's victory. Johnson conceivably could be anywhere between third and fifth on the depth chart Week 11 at Pittsburgh.
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Ravens' Diontae Johnson: Not targeted in debut
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Johnson went without a target in Sunday's 41-10 win over the Broncos.
Johnson was a complete non-factor in his first game with the Ravens, as the veteran wideout played just 17 of Baltimore's 57 offensive snaps in the contest. His lack of involvement wasn't a huge surprise, as head coach John Harbaugh said heading into the game that Johnson would have a light role in his season debut after being acquired from the Panthers just days prior. Going forward, the 28-year-old should become a key contributor in Baltimore's passing attack once he becomes more acclimated to the playbook, but the move to the Ravens means that he won't be a focal option in the passing game like he was during his time with the Panthers.
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Ravens' Diontae Johnson: Light role expected in debut
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Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that he expects Johnson to play about 10-to-15 snaps in Sunday's game against the Broncos, Tracy Wolfson of CBS Sports reports.
Harbaugh noted that Johnson is still familiarizing himself with the new playbook after the Ravens acquired him from the Panthers on Tuesday, so the veteran wideout won't be handed a full role right off the bat in his team debut. Eventually, Harbaugh envisions Johnson providing a field-stretching weapon who's capable of burnishing the depth at receiver behind starters Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. Johnson should eventually settle into a regular spot alongside Flowers and Bateman in three-receiver sets, but Johnson is unlikely to see the steady volume in the passing game he enjoyed in Carolina, where he had been averaging 8.3 targets per game over his seven appearances.
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Ravens' Diontae Johnson: Not on injury report
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Johnson (ribs) was a full practice participant Wednesday, Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official site reports.
Johnson missed his final game as a member of the Panthers this past weekend due to the rib injury, but after having been traded from Carolina to Baltimore on Tuesday, he's not listed on the Ravens' Week 9 injury report. The wideout is thus in a position to play Sunday against Denver, but with limited time to absorb the playbook, he may not be in store for a heavy snap count in his Ravens debut. Though Johnson will be moving from one of the NFL's worst offenses in Carolina to one of its best in Baltimore, the added competition he'll face for targets from wideouts Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman and tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely could make it difficult for Johnson to see enough volume in the passing game to remain a reliable weekly fantasy option.
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Ravens' Diontae Johnson: Bound for Baltimore
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The Ravens acquired Johnson (ribs) and a 2025 sixth-round draft pick from the Panthers on Tuesday in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round draft pick, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Baltimore will get a big upgrade to its receiver room at the modest cost of a one-round pick downgrade. Carolina is also expected to cover a portion of the salary remaining on the 28-year-old wideout's expiring contract, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. After the Panthers acquired Johnson from the Steelers in March, he had been serving as the team's No. 1 wideout, compiling a 30-357-3 receiving line on 58 targets. He missed the Panthers' Week 8 loss to the Broncos due to a rib issue, but assuming he's able to pass a physical, Johnson could be on track to make his Ravens debut as soon as this Sunday, coincidentally versus Denver. Though he will benefit from a major improvement in quarterback play, going from Andy Dalton (thumb) and Bryce Young to reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, Johnson is likely to see a reduction in targets as part of a run-oriented Baltimore offense that already features quality pass-catching options in Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Rashod Bateman.
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Panthers' Diontae Johnson: Held to one catch
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Johnson recorded one catch on three targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 40-7 loss to the Commanders.
The Carolina offense had an abysmal performance overall, as Ja'Tavion Sanders was the only pass catcher to record more than two receptions. Despite putting up big numbers in most weeks with Andy Dalton under center, Johnson couldn't overcome his surroundings Sunday. Johnson should be safe for volume in most weeks, but given the volatile nature of the Panthers' offense, these types of showings will likely continue occasionally moving forward.
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Panthers' Diontae Johnson: Active as expected Sunday
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Johnson (ankle) is active for Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the Commanders, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
The oft-injured veteran wideout was said to be trending toward active status in reports issued earlier in the weekend, and Johnson's availability is now confirmed. As such, Johnson will continue to operate as the top on-paper target for veteran signal-caller Andy Dalton, who's helped facilitate a 24-306-3 line on 43 targets for the talented pass catcher over his first four games as the starting quarterback.
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Panthers' Diontae Johnson: Likely to play Sunday
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Johnson (ankle) remains listed as questionable but is expected to play Sunday against the Commanders, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
On top of the ankle issue, Johnson also has been dealing with hamstring and rib injuries, which caused him to miss practice Wednesday and Thursday before getting in a limited session Friday. It's unclear how close to 100 percent Johnson is, but he's trending toward being active ahead of Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff. Johnson has drawn a team-leading 43 targets across four starts with Andy Dalton under center, cementing himself as a locked-in fantasy starter in most leagues.
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Panthers' Diontae Johnson: Listed as questionable
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Johnson (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Washington, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Johnson played through an ankle injury the past two weeks but is now listed with hamstring and rib injuries as well. He was held out of practice Wednesday and Thursday before returning to limited participation at the end of the week, which gives the impression he's truly questionable ahead of a 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday. An absence would leave more playing time for WR Jonathan Mingo while boosting the target-share projections for nearly every other piece of Carolina's offense, including WRs Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker and TE Ja'Tavion Sanders.
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Panthers' Diontae Johnson: Missing practice again
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Johnson (ankle) isn't practicing Thursday, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Johnson played through the same ankle injury the last two weeks, including this past Sunday when he caught six of 10 targets for 78 yards and a touchdown in a 38-20 loss to the Falcons. It's concerning for fantasy managers to see Johnson held out of back-to-back practices, as he managed limited participant in each session last week ahead of his strong showing against Atlanta. He may be in some danger of missing Sunday's game at Washington.
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Panthers' Diontae Johnson: Held out of Wednesday's practice
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Johnson (ankle) did not practice Wednesday.
Johnson has managed to play through his ankle injury in consecutive games, though he was limited in practice leading up to Carolina's loss to the Falcons in Week 6. The veteran wideout led the Panthers in receiving versus Atlanta, securing six of 10 targets for 78 yards and a touchdown while playing 89 percent of offensive snaps. Panthers head coach Dave Canales told Steve Reed of the Associated Press that Johnson is expected to practice Thursday, so the 28-year-old's availability for this Sunday's game in Washington doesn't appear to be in much peril.
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Panthers' Diontae Johnson: Leads CAR in receiving
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Johnson (ankle) finished with six receptions (10 targets) for 78 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 38-20 loss to the Falcons.
Johnson suited up as expected following a bout with a minor ankle injury leading up to Sunday's contest. The veteran wideout served his usual role as the Carolina's No. 1 receiving option, leading the club in every receiving category while cashing in his third touchdown of the season. The longtime Pittsburgh Steeler has not skipped a beat since changing squads this past offseason, generating 340 yards off of 29 receptions (55 targets) through six games. Johnson makes for a fine fantasy play against a soft Washington defense next Sunday.
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Panthers' Diontae Johnson: Limited in practice again
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Johnson (ankle) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Johnson played through the same injury and handled his normal workload in Sunday's loss to the Bears, after logging limited practices Thursday and Friday last week. He's now been a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday this week, giving him one last chance to upgrade to 'full' before Sunday's game against the Falcons.
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Panthers' Diontae Johnson: WRs to Start
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Johnson had a down game in Week 5 at Chicago with 5.9 PPR points, which was his worst outing since Week 2 and worst performance with Andy Dalton as the starting quarterback. Johnson should get back on track this week against the Falcons, who have allowed every No. 1 receiver to score at least 13.5 PPR points this season, including three guys (DeVonta Smith, Rashee Rice and Mike Evans) to score at least 20.6 PPR points. I like Johnson as a No. 1 Fantasy receiver in all leagues.
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Panthers' Diontae Johnson: Cleared to face Chicago
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Johnson (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at Chicago, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Johnson never quite progressed to full practice participation, logging limited sessions Thursday and Friday, but the lack of an injury designation nonetheless confirms his ankle isn't a major concern. He's caught 15 of 27 targets for 205 yards and two TDs in two games since Andy Dalton took over as the starting QB, putting up big numbers against the Raiders and then Bengals. Chicago's defense should be more of a challenge, but Johnson doesn't necessarily need efficient production to be useful in fantasy, as he's accounted for 30 percent of Carolina's targets and 44 percent of the team's air yards.
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Panthers' Diontae Johnson: Puts in limited practice
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Johnson (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Johnson took a step forward from Wednesday, when he opened the practice week as a non-participant due to the ankle issue. The wideout will look to upgrade to full activity Friday, and if he does, Johnson will likely head into Sunday's game against the Bears without an injury designation. Johnson has demonstrated a strong rapport with Andy Dalton through the latter's first two turns as Carolina's starting quarterback, stringing together a 15-205-2 receiving line on 27 targets between a Week 3 win over the Raiders and a Week 4 loss to the Bengals.
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Panthers' Diontae Johnson: Back at practice Thursday
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Johnson (ankle) is participating in Thursday's practice, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Johnson sat out Wednesday's practice due to an ankle issue, but Panthers head coach Dave Canales offered optimism that the veteran wideout would be available Week 5. Carolina may simply be exercising caution with Johnson, who played through a groin injury Week 4. In the Panthers' last two games, both of which featured Andy Dalton under center, Johnson has combined for 15 catches for 205 yards and two touchdowns on 27 targets. Even practicing in a limited capacity Thursday would signify an improvement for Johnson, as he works to gain clearance for Sunday's road matchup against the Bears.
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Panthers' Diontae Johnson: Dealing with ankle issue
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Johnson didn't practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury.
The Panthers seem to be exercising caution with Johnson, as head coach Dave Canales relayed that the team wants to "get ahead of it" in reference to the wide receiver's health concern. Johnson's production has taken off the last two games with Andy Dalton under center, combining for 15 catches (on 27 targets) for 205 yards and two touchdowns. Considering his outsized role in Carolina's offense at the moment, his status will be one to monitor as the week goes on to get a sense of his chances to play Sunday at Chicago.
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Panthers' Diontae Johnson: Ready for regular role
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Johnson (groin) is active for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Johnson had a groin injury pop up Thursday that sidelined him for practice, but he got in a limited session Friday and will be ready for action in Week 4. There doesn't seem to be any concern about his snap count or effectiveness, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports that the wide receiver got extra work in with new starting quarterback Andy Dalton throughout the week. Johnson should once again serve as the focal point of Carolina's passing attack.
