New Ravens wide receiver Diontae Johnson reports to practice "ready to work"

BALTIMORE - Veteran wide receiver Diontae Johnson went from a last-place team to a Super Bowl contender.

Johnson, who was traded to the Baltimore Ravens from the Carolina Panthers, joined his new team at practice in Owings Mills on Wednesday.

"He looked good and he's in the process of trying to pick up the offense and be ready to contribute as soon as he can," Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said.

Johnson, who only played seven games in Carolina, led the Panthers with 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns this season. His best game was on Sept. 22 when he hauled in eight receptions for 122 yards in Carolina's win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

However, the Panthers (1-7) are in sell mode, while the Ravens (5-3), second in the AFC North, are hoping to make a deep playoff run this season.

"Once I found out where I was going, I was excited. I'm ready to work," Johnson said.

Johnson is quite familiar with the Baltimore Ravens, having played them at least two times each year when he was with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2019 to 2023. He racked up 45 receptions for 495 yards with three touchdowns in nine career games against the Ravens.

Johnson, a Pro Bowler in 2021, has 421 career catches for 4,720 yards and 28 touchdowns. His best season was in 2021 when he had 107 catches for 1,161 yards.

He entered the NFL as a third-round draft pick in 2019 out of Toledo. In 2019, he led all rookie receivers with 59 receptions, 680 yards and five touchdowns.

"It still don't seem real," Johnson said about being traded to the Ravens. "It's a blessing for me just to get another opportunity to come to the AFC North, so that's one thing that stuck out to me, and be a part of this great organization."

Johnson is only under contract with the Ravens for the rest of this season before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. But, in the meantime, he's looking to be a reliable playmaker in Baltimore.

The 28-year-old joins the Ravens' receiving corps with Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor. 

"Just getting open, moving the sticks, just trying to be a guy the young guys can come to for stuff," Johnson said. "My playmaking skills out there when I get the ball, just make plays and bringing energy to the offense."

Johnson will be catching passes from two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, who has passed for 2,099 yards with 17 touchdowns and just two interceptions this season.

"I know what Lamar brings to the table, so to be able to contribute to the offense that he's a part of, that he leads, it's a blessing," Johnson said. "I'm going to do whatever I can to help this offense continue to get better." 

The Ravens, coming off a 29-24 loss in Cleveland, return home on Sunday to play the Denver Broncos. They trail first-place Pittsburgh by one game.

The Ravens travel to Pittsburgh on November 17 and host the Steelers on December 21.