By Brian Murphy, WRAL

Charlotte 49ers	20
North Carolina Tar Heels	38
Final

North Carolina quarterback Max Johnson, who suffered a season-ending broken leg in the season opener against Minnesota, plans to return for the 2025 season, he told ESPN in his first public comments since the injury.

He was injured in the third quarter and underwent at least two procedures on his leg, remaining in Minnesota while the team returned to Chapel Hill after the game on Aug. 30.

Johnson is still in Minnesota, doing well in his recovery and plans to return to Chapel Hill next week, a UNC spokesman told WRAL on Friday.

“These last eight days have been a serious grind and it has taken a lot to get to the other side and start the recovery process,” Johnson said in a statement to ESPN that was posted also on his Instagram page.

He thanked doctors, nurses and other staff at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, UNC head coach Mack Brown and others within the Tar Heels’ program, friends and family and “ultimately my Lord and Savior that pulled me though.”

“It will be hard to sit on the sidelines, but I have a lot of football left in me and know I will be back out there next year,” Johnson said in the statement. “In the meantime, I’ll be there every day supporting my teammates and helping out as much as I can. I appreciate all the love and support from the fans.”

Johnson spent two seasons at LSU and two more at Texas A&M before transferring to UNC after the 2023 season. He won the Tar Heels’ starting job in fall camp. Johnson could have two years of eligibility remaining.

Sophomore quarterback Conner Harrell took over for Johnson against Minnesota. UNC won 19-17. Harrell will start for the Tar Heels on Saturday at home against Charlotte.

Brown said earlier this week that the team would make every effort to keep Johnson involved during his recovery. The Tar Heels gave Johnson a game ball from the victory.

“We need to get him back and get him involved in the program and get him to help coach our quarterbacks,” Brown said while Johnson was still in Minnesota. “Even when he starts feeling better, we’re going to try to get him to Zoom into team meetings and the offensive meetings just to make sure that he feels all the love from us and the kids.”

Source: wralsportsfan.com