The Panthers' DJ Johnson will miss the final game of the season after a car accident left him with a concussion, proving that some injuries really do come from outside the football field.

In a bizarre twist of fate, DJ Johnson's unfortunate car accident—a non-football injury that ironically strikes just when his team has already been eliminated from playoff contention—has placed him on the reserve/non-football injury list, further emphasizing that sometimes, the road to recovery can be more perilous than the gridiron itself.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Rama Road in south Charlotte, where the collision involved two vehicles. It appears that Johnson's skills in evading tackles did not translate to his driving skills. Head coach Dave Canales dampened the mood in the locker room by confirming that while Johnson's condition is serious enough to warrant a break from the game, it is thankfully not life-threatening. Apparently, the Panthers are still keeping their sense of humor alive, as Johnson's coach quipped about him tackling the recovery process with the same vigor he brings to the field.

DJ Johnson, who was drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, managed to stay relatively active during the 2024 season despite the Panthers’ exit from playoff contention. With 44 tackles, three tackles for loss, and half a sack across 14 games, he was carving out a respectable niche for himself. However, it seems that as life would have it, his most formidable opponent this season turned out to be a pair of brake lights.

It's worth noting the striking timing of the accident. Just as the Panthers have been eliminated from the playoffs, Johnson found himself sidelined with a concussion after a two-car accident. One can only imagine the frustration of staying healthy while playing football only to be injured in this incident. In Johnson's case, it’s a classic instance of irony that no amount of dodging could avoid.

The Panthers, already eliminated from the playoffs, now face the prospect of completing their final game without one of their more promising defensive players. As fans prepare for the metaphorical post-mortem of the season, the absence of Johnson serves as yet another footnote in a year that had more downs than ups. The team will have to muster what remaining pride they have and put forth a performance that might convince everyone— themselves included—that they can still play a sport that shouldn't also test their driving skills.

Looking forward, Johnson's recovery will likely be a focal point. The Panthers have learned, the hard way, that players can sustain injuries in the most unexpected places. Fans are no doubt hoping that he’ll follow doctor's orders and not try to devise a tackle to thwart his concussion, nor should he attempt to play a game of ‘bumper cars’ in the parking lot.

As for the rest of the team, they will have to rally together in honor of their injured comrade while saving their best spirals for the upcoming offseason instead of hitching a ride home from the season with any more accidents. After all, some battles are best left for the football field, and highway encounters are simply a different kind of tackle.