Today’s “On Sports” features a familiar face returning to the AFC North, a familiar face getting cheers at PPG Paints Arena and some recognition for the unbeaten Pitt Panthers football team.


Remember him?

Diontae Johnson has found his way back to the AFC North.

The Carolina Panthers traded the former Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver and a sixth-round pick in 2025 to Baltimore for a fifth-round pick in 2025 on Tuesday.

Johnson, who has 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns this season, spent five seasons with the Steelers after they drafted the former Toledo standout in the third round in 2019. While with the Steelers, he totaled 391 receptions for 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns.

In March, the Steelers sent Johnson — their most tenured receiver — and a seventh-round pick to the Carolina for cornerback Donte Jackson and a sixth-round choice. Johnson is in the final year of a three-year, $35.18 million contract. He did not play in Sunday’s 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos because of a rib injury.

Johnson will be a welcome addition to a dynamic Ravens offense that was looking for additional pass-catching help. As evidenced below.

The Ravens have the NFL’s most productive offense, averaging 452.1 yards (first in NFL) and also 30.3 points (second NFL).

QB Lamar Jackson has thrown for 2,099 yards (fifth) and RB Derrick Henry is the league’s leading rusher with 946 yards.

Johnson will help complement WR Zay Flowers (41-527 yards), WR Rashod Bateman (22-422), TE Isaiah Likely (24-271) and TE Mark Andrews (22-263).

Johnson’s addition does not solve the Ravens’ struggles in pass defense, however. That unit is last in the NFL and allows 291.4 yards per game.

There’s also this intriguing storyline:


Fleury gets his flowers

It was a special night at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday as former Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury made what is expected to be his final appearance in Pittsburgh, helping the Minnesota Wild to a 5-3 victory.

Fleury made 26 saves in the victory.

He received a standing ovation and a visit from a couple former teammates after the game.

The Penguins’ social media team highlighted several memorable moments throughout the day on X.

Pregame “Flower” display:

Fleury and friends:

Rookie season:

Bidding farewell:


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Honors at Pitt

It’s midseason … well, season … watch list and it pays to be a member of the undefeated Pitt football team.

Several Panthers are appearing on watch lists, though the real awards will have to wait until the season’s conclusion.

• Quarterback Eli Holstein was named a candidate for the Davey O’Brien Award for national quarterback of the year.

Holstein has completed 64% of his passes (138 of 215) for 1,808 yards and 17 touchdowns with five interceptions.

He ranks 14th nationally in touchdown passes (17) and 20th in pass efficiency (156.3 rating).

• Sophomore LB Kyle Louis was named to Chuck Bednarik Award Midseason Watch List on Tuesday. The award is presented to the defensive player of the year.

He has accumulated 60 tackles, 8½ tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks, eight QB hurries, three interceptions (one returned for a TD) and a forced fumble.

In Thursday’s 41-13 win over Syracuse, Louis had a 59-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Among Pitt alumni, Defensive tackle Aaron Donald won the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2013, while defensive end Hugh Green (1980) and running back Tony Dorsett (1976) won the Maxwell Award (college player of the year).

• Senior kicker Ben Sauls, was tabbed the Midseason Lou Groza Award Winner by Pro Football Focus on Tuesday.

Sauls has converted all 12 of his field goal attempts and all 33 extra-point tries this season.

PFF, a sports analytics site highlighted “who deserves all of college football’s major awards if the season ended today” in its midseason report. Sauls was the pick for college football’s top kicker.

He has made 14 consecutive field goals dating to last season, eclipsing the 29-year-old school record set by Chris Ferencik in 1995.

• Pitt sophomore linebacker Rasheem Biles was named ACC Linebacker of the Week for the first time for his effort against Syracuse. He had a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown and added a game-high 12 tackles, including a 15-yard sack, and two quarterback hurries.

The 18th-ranked Panthers (7-0) play at No. 20 SMU at 8 p.m. Saturday.