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The Pittsburgh Steelers will see a familiar face on Sunday when they go up against the Baltimore Ravens, who acquired wide receiver Diontae Johnson at the trade deadline.
However, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters on Tuesday that he hasn’t given much thought to defending Johnson because he believes the Ravens have “more significant pieces with larger roles that occupy my attention.”
Johnson spent the first five seasons of his career in Pittsburgh before being traded to the Carolina Panthers this past offseason. He was sent to Baltimore on Oct. 29 and was expected to make an impact on the team’s passing attack, but he’s been off to a slow start with just one catch for six yards in two games with his new team, so Tomlin is correct in saying there isn’t much film to review of Johnson in a Ravens uniform.
Johnson will likely be motivated to put forth a better showing in front of Tomlin and his old team in hopes of proving the Steelers should’ve rewarded him with a contract extension rather than trading him away. The 28-year-old is set to be a free agent at the end of this season and will likely be a coveted player on the open market.
First place in the AFC North will be on the line when the 7-2 Steelers host the 7-3 Ravens on Sunday. Pittsburgh has won four straight games and appears to be one of the top contenders to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
Johnson and the rest of the Ravens who are drawing Tomlin’s attention will have the chance to play spoiler as they try to regain supremacy in the division.
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