CHARLOTTE, N.C. >> The Baltimore Ravens have added another offensive playmaker for quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The Ravens acquired wide receiver Diontae Johnson and a sixth-round pick in 2025 from the Carolina Panthers for a 2025 fifth-rounder, according to a person familiar with the situation.
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.
The two-time MVP 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.
Colts benching Richardson to start Flacco>> The Indianapolis Colts are benching Anthony Richardson to start Joe Flacco at quarterback on Sunday at Minnesota, two people with knowledge of the decision tell The Associated Press.
Coach Shane Steichen said Monday he was evaluating whether Richardson would remain the starter. The fourth pick in the 2023 NFL draft was 10 of 32 passing and got sacked five times in the Colts’ 23-20 loss to Houston over the weekend.
Richardson also drew outside criticism for taking himself out of the game for a play because he said he was tired.
Flacco started two games for Indianapolis earlier this season when Richardson was out with a right hip injury.
Texans’ Diggs out for season>> Houston Texans receiver Stefon Diggs will miss the rest of the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee Sunday. Coach DeMeco Ryans made the announcement Tuesday, calling Diggs being out a huge loss.
Diggs suffered the non-contact injury in the third quarter of Houston’s win over the Colts on Sunday. He was running a route and pulled up and grabbed at his right knee before falling to the ground.
49ers mourn death of Ward’s daughter>> The 1-year-old daughter of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward has died after battling heart problems since her birth.
Ward posted on Instagram that his daughter, Amani Joy, died on Monday morning. Amani Joy Ward was born prematurely with Down syndrome and had open-heart surgery in April 2023. The 49ers said in a statement that the team is devastated by her death.
Vikings agree to acquire LT Robinson from Jags>> The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to acquire eight-year veteran left tackle Cam Robinson from the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to a person with knowledge of the trade. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending completion of a physical exam and not yet finalized.
Robinson has spent his entire career with the Jaguars since being drafted in the second round in 2017 out of Alabama. He will give the Vikings another option for replacing standout Christian Darrisaw after his season-ending knee injury.
Former first-round pick joins Packers’ practice squad>> Linebacker Jamin Davis has joined the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad a week after the 2021 first-round draft pick was released by the Washington Commanders. The Packers announced Tuesday they had added Davis to their practice squad and had released linebacker Chris Russell from their practice squad.
Washington selected Davis out of Kentucky with the 19th overall pick in the 2021 draft.
He made 36 starts for the Commanders from 2021-23 but saw his playing time dip this season. Davis made 13 tackles in five games before getting released on Oct. 22.