Diontae Johnson and the Ravens remain at an impasse.
Johnson was suspended for last Sunday's game against the Giants after refusing to play in the Ravens-Eagles game earlier this month.
On Monday, the Ravens released a statement saying the organization and Johnson “mutually agreed” to be exempted from team activities for this week's game against the Steelers.
During Monday's media availability, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was asked if he could imagine the 28-year-old Johnson returning to play next week.
“Honestly, my guess is that all I'm really thinking about right now is Pittsburgh. So he won't be here this week and we'll see something next week,” Harbaugh said. told reporters.
Harbaugh was asked why the team didn't release Johnson, and he gave another roundabout answer.
“Honestly, I'm very interested in the Pittsburgh Steelers. I know you guys want to hear about it,” Harbaugh said.
“There are a lot of moving parts. There are front-office reasons for doing things. Do I want to sit here and participate in Eric's various calculations? [DeCosta] Do you want to make it? Not really. I want to think about Pittsburgh and the players that are going to play here against Pittsburgh. That's my 100 percent focus. ”
The Ravens are 9-5, one game behind the Steelers (10-4) in the AFC North.
The Ravens traded Johnson midway through the season, sending a fifth-round pick to the Panthers and getting a wide receiver and a sixth-round pick back.
In four games against the Ravens this year, Johnson has just one catch for six yards.
He had 30 catches, 357 yards, and three touchdowns in seven games with the Panthers, who acquired the one-time Pro Bowler from the Steelers in March.
