Dave Canales: DJ Johnson Involved in Car Accident, Will Miss Panthers vs. Falcons

Carolina Panthers linebacker DJ Johnson will miss the team's season finale against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday after being involved in a car accident.

He was listed as out on the injury report for personal reasons, and head coach Dave Canales confirmed while speaking to reporters Friday that it was because of a car accident. Per The Athletic's Joe Person, Canales said his condition is not life-threatening.

"It was a car accident, first and foremost, and that's pretty much what I know about it," Canales said. "Enough to the point where he's in evaluation right now."

Johnson, a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, had a strong second season for the Panthers. He picked up 44 tackles and an assisted sack in 14 games after posting just 16 tackles during his rookie year.

Though he made just two starts this season, Johnson has emerged as a big part of Carolina's defense as he's racked up the eighth-most tackles on the team and third-most by a linebacker behind Josey Jewell and Trevin Wallace.

Johnson, who is under contract until 2026, will look to come back strong in 2025 after showing growth in his second NFL season.

The Panthers, who have been eliminated from the playoffs, hope to close out the season on a positive note against an NFC South rival on Sunday. While Carolina didn't turn into a playoff contender in the second year of the Bryce Young era, it improved slightly, doubling its win total from the 2023 season. They'll look to make it five wins on Sunday.

Young struggled early but showed flashes of potential with big games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He had 263 passing yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs, taking the defending champs down to the wire in a 30-27 loss. The following week against the Bucs, he threw for a season-high 298 yards and two total touchdowns in an overtime loss.