Panthers’ DJ Johnson will miss final game of season after being involved in car accident

carolina panthers Linebacker DJ Johnson will miss the team’s season finale against the Atlanta Falcons this weekend after being involved in a car accident, head coach Dave Canales confirmed Friday.

Johnson, 26, was designated out in Friday injury report for a personal matter.

Joe Burrow (9) of the Cincinnati Bengals is hit by DJ Johnson (52) of the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

The team did not provide further details, but Canales confirmed to reporters that it was related to a car accident.

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“We actually collected information last night and morning. There was a car accident,” Canales said.

“That’s pretty much what I know about it. Enough that it’s under evaluation right now.”

Carolina Panthers linebacker DJ Johnson after a game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 8, 2024, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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A team spokesperson said Athletic’s Joe Person Johnson was involved in a two-car accident in Charlotte on Thursday and suffered a concussion. Other details about the accident were not immediately known.

Johnson was selected by the Panthers in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He has 44 tackles, a quarterback hit and a fumble recovery in 14 games and two starts this season.

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The Panthers have already been eliminated from the playoffs, but Sunday is a must-win game. the Falcons.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. during the second half of a game against the Washington Commanders on Dec. 29, 2024, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

A loss to the Commanders and a win by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week knocked the Falcons out of first place in the NFC South, but an Atlanta win and a Bucs loss on Sunday would secure the Falcons a playoff berth. .

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