HOUSTON — The Texans moved on from veteran wide receiver Diontae Johnson after just two games, cutting ties with an oft-disgruntled player who is now out of his third NFL team this season.

After a playoff win over the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium, Johnson was visibly upset and teammates, including team captains Azeez Al-Shair and Joe Mixon, tried to calm him down. His dissatisfaction with his role has been a recurring theme for him this season and has now led to another missed opportunity.

Johnson, who previously claimed waivers after a difficult seven weeks with the Baltimore Ravens, caught one pass for 12 yards in a playoff win. It was his only goal and he played 16 snaps on offense for 22 percent of the playing time.

He is a pending unrestricted free agent.

According to a league source, the Texans are replacing Johnson on the 53-man roster by promoting wide receiver Jared Wayne from the practice squad. Wayne is a former undrafted free agent from Pitt who played in three games this season, mostly on special teams, with no targets or catches.

Johnson was released by the Ravens amid behind-the-scenes drama that stemmed from his displeasure with his lack of touches on offense, culminating when his relationship with the team deteriorated to the point that he was placed on waivers became.

The Texans also placed rookie tight end Cade Stover on injured reserve. According to a league source, Stover suffered a broken collarbone against the Chargers. Stover previously missed two games after undergoing an emergency appendectomy before a game against the Miami Dolphins. The fourth-round draft pick from Ohio State is coming off a solid rookie year and showing potential as a blocker and pass-catcher.

Johnson caught two passes for 12 yards on four scores with one first down and returned a punt for zero yards in 22 snaps and 37 percent of offensive playing time in a 23-14 regular-season finale victory over the Tennessee Titans.

On his third NFL team of the season after a previously ill-fated trade from the Carolina Panthers to the Ravens that didn’t work out as he was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team for refusing to play in a game, Johnson was reportedly on his way a good start with the Texans.

“With Diontae, I was really impressed with this last week of practice,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said before the Chargers game. “I thought he understood what we were asking him to do. I thought he had some really good catches and plays throughout practice and got into the game. We were also able to involve him in the game a little. I thought he did really well. We will start by continuing to give him more food to see how he can help us.

“The skills and talent are there. It’s just a matter of him integrating into our offense and making sure we put him in positions where we can showcase his talents because he’s a talented player. “He’s got a lot of games in this league and it’s exciting to see what he was able to achieve on the practice field. So I’m excited to see how this comes to life on game days. He did a great job and is happy to work with Diontae. It was a pleasure working with him.”

However, Johnson has now left the team.

Previously, Texans’ Pro Bowl forward Joe Mixon expressed great confidence in Johnson and the impact he can make, now settling in on his third team of the season, catching passes from quarterback CJ Stroud.

“I’m going to give y’all a treat: Diontae Johnson, he’s going to look really good out there for us,” Mixon predicted before the Titans game. “Getting him involved in the offense, I think that was hugely important. I played it again for years. I obviously respected him as a football player. So that he can come in and we can strengthen him because this year he’s had a hard time traveling from place to place and figuring out where he’s at.

“He came here ready to grind, ready to work. We love this as a Texas organization, as a team. I love that a man does his best and does everything right. He learned the offense very quickly. I love seeing how he and CJ gel together. As far as starting the postseason goes, you can never take that for granted.”

The Texans, who had a glaring need for a wide receiver with Tank Dell out this season with a devastating knee injury, were granted waivers for the veteran wide receiver.

“Just being here, getting a fresh start, getting along with the guys, just being here to actually be in the building and not worry about everything that happened, just focus on the Titans and learning plays “I’ll just take it up one day,” Johnson said in his first comments after joining the Texans. “I want to leave that in the past. New beginning here.

“I had a great time there and met some good teammates. These relationships will continue and I will move forward here. I’m trying to win games here and go far in the playoffs. I see myself fitting in really well. Since I knew CJ, I met him at an autograph signing and stayed in touch here and there throughout the season. To finally come here and be with him on offense is just a blessing, just the talent that he brings to the game.”

PREVIOUS: Texas linebacker Azeez Al-Shair’s first practice since his suspension, debut of new wide receiver Diontae Johnson

What happened to the Ravens? Johnson caught one pass for six yards on five scores and played in just 39 offensive snaps. He was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team when he refused to participate in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 1st. He was subsequently released from team activities by agreement with management and the coaching staff.

According to multiple league sources, Johnson was extremely emotional and upset when he didn’t get the football. Multiple sources emphasized that Johnson has a kind, friendly personality but can be volatile when things don’t go the way he expected. Teammates have said positive things about Johnson, who was warmly greeted with hugs from former teammates, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, when the Ravens were at NRG Stadium on Christmas and defeated the Texans in a 31-2 victory.

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Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com