The Pittsburgh Steelers traded Diontae Johnson eight months ago. Now on his second team since then, Johnson is itching to go back to Acrisure Stadium on the other side of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry.
Johnson has yet to make a big play in his two games with the Ravens, but he'll have another chance Sunday, and he'd love to make a point.
"Man, I had a great career there. I loved it," Johnson said Monday. "Great city, people great there. I know what they're about. I can't wait to get to Sunday to just be back in that stadium."
Johnson said he still talks often with Steelers wide receivers George Pickens and Calvin Austin III, and is also still in touch with Najee Harris, T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, and others.
After being drafted by the Steelers in 2019, Johnson said he expects it to feel weird to be in the away locker room for the first time.
"I'm ready to get back there just to see the good people that I made relationships with and stuff like that," Johnson said. "But other than that, it's a big moment for me."
While Johnson is excited to see his former teammates, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin seemed to throw some shade Johnson's way Tuesday, saying he hasn't thought a lot about his former wide receiver heading into Sunday's game.
"He's not on a lot of their video," Tomlin said. "They've got more significant pieces with larger roles that have occupied my attention at this part of the week."
It has been a slow start for Johnson in Baltimore, as he's caught just one 6-yard pass and been targeted twice in his first two games. That's tough for a player that was the clear No. 1 weapon for the Carolina Panthers earlier this season, and who was Pittsburgh's top threat for several years at the start of his career, including a Pro Bowl 2021 season when he posted 107 catches and 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns.
It's also not that surprising considering he's only had one full week of practice with the team and the Ravens offense was already rolling with Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman heating up as the top two receivers.
"They're working me in there slowly, but, you know, I just go out there, whenever they call my number, going to do my thing," Johnson said. "So I can't go in there just expecting a lot. I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself. However the game goes, I'm all for it."
Tre'Davious White Wants to Earn a Role
Ravens cornerback Tre'Davious White took part in his first practice with his new team Tuesday as he starts to get ramped up for action.
Head Coach John Harbaugh indicated that White will play outside cornerback along with Brandon Stephens, Marlon Humphrey, and Nate Wiggins.
"This team is all about earning it," White said. "So if I go out there and practice well and communicate well and learn the playbook and then go out there, and the coaches are confident in what I can do, that's all on my own. If I can go out there and earn it, then that's the way I want it to be."
White hasn't played in a game since September for the Rams, but he's eager for a fresh start.
"Anytime someone trades for you, that means that they want you and they see some potential in you," White said. "So, for that, I'm grateful and I'm thankful. Just ready to get on the field and play some football."
Arthur Maulet Details How the Steelers Will Try to Stop Lamar Jackson
Cornerback Arthur Maulet spent two seasons in Pittsburgh before coming to Baltimore and got to see firsthand how hard it is to stop Lamar Jackson.
But now on the other side of the rivalry, Maulet has some institutional knowledge of how the Steelers' defense will approach Jackson on Sunday.
"They're going to put a person at the dive and they're going to run a person straight at Lamar," Maulet said. "And they're going to make him make a decision. So that's their gameplan. ... Maybe they change [it] a little bit, I ain't been there in a while. [Jackson] can throw way better now. And he lost a little weight."
Roquan Smith's Fine for Hit on Chris Godwin Is Rescinded
Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith got some money back in his pocket this week.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter and others, NFL hearing officer Jordy Nelson ruled in Smith's favor regarding the fine from his Week 7 tackle on Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin.
Smith was reportedly fined $16,833 for the hit that ended Godwin's season. The league originally determined that it was a hip-drop tackle. Smith was not penalized on the play and said he had no ill intent.
"First and foremost, I just send prayers and a speedy recovery out to Chris," Smith said. "I have a lot of respect for him as a player, what he's accomplished throughout this league and the little I've seen from him, he seems like a good dude, from what I've heard, [and] a good family man. You never want to see anybody go down with any type of injury, but we play a very physical game, and it demands a lot.
"Bullets are flying pretty fast, but I never go into any game to injure any player. I want every player to go back home safe and sound to their family – maybe a little sore – but other than that, I definitely want you to get back home to your family all safe and sound."
