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Panthers send WR Diontae Johnson, 6th-round pick to Ravens, get back 5th-rounder, AP source says

The Associated Press

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (5) catches a pass over Washington Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil (0) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have traded wide receiver Diontae Johnson and a sixth-round pick in 2025 to Baltimore for the Ravens’ 2025 fifth-rounder, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The person spoke To the Associated Press on Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the trade has not been made official.

Johnson had been Carolina’s leading wide receiver since being acquired in an offseason trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers for cornerback Donte Jackson. Johnson has 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns for Carolina, but did not play in Sunday’s 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos because of a rib injury.

Johnson was set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson is having the best passing season of his career for the Ravens, with a 115.4 rating and 2,099 yards passing. He’s thrown 17 touchdown passes with only two interceptions.

Johnson now joins second-year wide receiver Zay Flowers and 24-year-old Rashod Bateman — plus a handful of capable tight ends — among Jackson’s options.

However, it’s the defense that threatens to hold the Ravens back.

Baltimore allowed 401 yards in a loss to Cleveland on Sunday that left the Ravens (5-3) a game behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North. So even after acquiring Johnson, Baltimore may not be done dealing before the trade deadline.

The Panthers (1-7) are likely in selling mode with the season slipping away and eager to improve their draft positioning for next season.

The 28-year-old Johnson’s best season came in 2021 when he caught 107 passes for 1,161 yards with eight touchdowns for the Steelers.

But he hasn’t quite returned to that level of production.

He followed that season up with 86 catches for 882 yards in 2022, and his numbers fell off last year as the Steelers shifted the focus of their passing game to young wide receiver George Pickens. Johnson finished with a career-low 51 catches for 717 yards along with five TDs in 2023.

Johnson had previously said that he wanted to remain with the Panthers after trade rumors began to swirl around him earlier this season, adding that he was happy catching passes from veteran quarterback Andy Dalton.

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AP Sports Writer Noah Trister contributed to this report.