With the addition of Diontae Johnson in a trade with the Carolina Panthers this season, the Baltimore Ravens appeared to alleviate their wide receiver issue before the trade deadline. However, Johnson hasn’t played much since the Ravens added him, and his new team punished him for one game on Wednesday.

Johnson did not log a single snap in the Ravens’ Week 13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, which may be explained by reports that he did not check into the game when requested. It turns out that this is the reason why head coach John Harbaugh was evasive when questioned about the situation following the game.

Johnson has had a history of tense relationships with his former teams, making this latest incident far from his first. During his short stint with the Panthers, a team reporter criticized the star receiver for seeming to participate in practice and games only when it suited him.

Joe Person, who covers the Panthers for The Athletic, shared his perspective on Johnson’s time in Carolina via X (formerly Twitter): “My take on Diontae Johnson’s time in Carolina: He practiced (or didn’t practice) when he wanted and was a poor fit for a first-year coach trying to establish a culture.”

While the Panthers were in desperate need of help at wide receiver, they were well aware of Johnson’s history.

Johnson’s relationship with his previous squads has been tense, so this isn’t the first time he’s had a run-in with them. During his brief time with the Panthers, one club reporter criticized the standout receiver for appearing to practice and play only when he felt like it.

Joe Person, a reporter for The Athletic covering the Panthers, shared his view on X (formerly Twitter) regarding Diontae Johnson’s stint in Carolina: “In my opinion, Johnson practiced (or didn’t practice) whenever it suited him and didn’t align well with a first-year coach trying to build a strong team culture.” While the Panthers urgently needed help at wide receiver, they were fully aware of Johnson’s history.

Since he won’t be playing when the team returns from their bye in Week 15 against the New York Giants, they will have to make due without him for the time being.

The Reason Diontae Johnson Didn’t Participate in the Ravens Game

Why wide receiver Diontae Johnson declined to play in the Ravens vs. Eagles game is a question that many people have. The Baltimore Ravens’ general manager, Eric DeCosta, declared on X (previously Twitter) on Wednesday, December 4, that Johnson would be punished for “conduct detrimental to the team” in an upcoming game against the New York Giants. Although he said that it was a “tough decision,” the penalty was given because he decided not to play even though he was active. Here’s a summary of the reasons why analysts believe Johnson chose not to play.

Why did the Ravens ban Diontae Johnson?

According to experts, Diontae Johnson was upset about “his lack of usage since arriving in a trade” and decided not to participate in the Eagles game, which resulted in his suspension.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports reports that “further discussions are likely” about the receiver’s future with the team following his suspension. Schultz notes that the Ravens believe Johnson can still “contribute significantly down the stretch,” but they expect him to be fully committed and team-oriented, especially with this being his contract year.

Many people were perplexed as to why Johnson was not playing during the Eagles game. According to Ebony Bird, quarterback Lamar Jackson stated that he wanted Johnson on the field because “he’s a great receiver.”

Johnson saw limited action in his Week 9 debut with the Ravens, playing just 17 snaps, and his involvement in subsequent games remained minimal. Although he was the Panthers’ leading receiver, Johnson has logged only 39 snaps since being traded from Carolina on October 29, with a single reception for six yards.

According to a Johnson fan on X, the Ravens merely acquired him to keep other teams from acquiring him, not to use him. Johnson, who was a member of the Steelers from 2019 to 2013, is known for being a “problematic player” who “threw fits when things didn’t go his way,” according to users on the team’s Reddit. Some people remark that it’s ironic that a player would decline to play a game only because they don’t play games.