OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens insist they’re targeted on making a playoff run and never on the current self-discipline of one in all their teammates.
The Ravens suspended Diontae Johnson for one recreation Wednesday after basic supervisor Eric DeCosta stated the veteran extensive receiver refused to enter their Dec. 1 recreation in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles. On Monday, coming off the bye, Johnson’s fellow extensive receivers stated they haven’t any problem with it.
“It ain’t a distraction,” receiver Zay Flowers stated. “That is not my choice to make. He is nonetheless one in all my guys. He is one in all our guys.”
Requested if Johnson can be welcomed again, Flowers chuckled.
“Yeah, he’d be welcomed again,” he stated.
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Johnson, who just isn’t practising with the workforce throughout his suspension, will miss Sunday’s recreation on the New York Giants.
The Ravens (8-5) are in nice place to make the playoffs, however they’ll seemingly have to win the ultimate 4 regular-season video games to have a shot at repeating as AFC North champions. Baltimore trails the first-place Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) by two video games.
When Baltimore traded a sixth-round draft choose to the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 29 for Johnson and a fifth-round choice, it was purported to be a transfer that helped the Ravens down the stretch. However Johnson went from being the Panthers’ main receiver by means of the primary seven video games of the season to totaling one catch for six yards with Baltimore.
In 4 video games with the Ravens, Johnson has been on the sphere for under 39 snaps, and his lack of alternatives may impression him when he turns into a free agent in March. Johnson suited up for the loss to the Eagles however did not play a snap, though beginning extensive receiver Rashod Bateman left within the second half with a knee harm.
“All of us perceive each side,” Bateman stated. “There are penalties that include this recreation. I do know he’ll be again quickly, and that is all we fear about.”
The Ravens have not actually wanted Johnson since buying him. Baltimore has the NFL’s fifth-best passing assault this season, averaging 243.4 yards per recreation. Quarterback Lamar Jackson, who’s on tempo to surpass his profession excessive in passing yards, has thrown 29 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Bateman additionally stated the scenario with Johnson will not turn out to be a distraction for the workforce.
“All people in listed below are grown males, and everyone knows we have now a job at hand individually,” Bateman stated. “He is aware of that, too. Hopefully we’ll see him again subsequent week.”
Ravens coach John Harbaugh was requested if there was a path for Johnson to return to the workforce after the suspension.
“The [organization’s] assertion [following the announcement of the suspension] stated that there can be no additional touch upon that, so we’ll simply form of depart it at that and see the place it goes as time permits,” Harbaugh stated.
The Ravens are at present the No. 5 seed within the AFC playoff race and, in response to ESPN Analytics, have a 97.2% probability to succeed in the postseason. Baltimore’s closing 4 video games are on the Giants, residence in opposition to the Steelers, on the Houston Texans and residential in opposition to the Cleveland Browns.
