By Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Charlotte 49ers
North Carolina Tar Heels
ACC Network | Saturday, September 7th 3:30 PM EDT

Chapel Hill, N.C. — North Carolina quarterback Max Johnson is undergoing a second procedure on Monday after suffering a broken right leg in the season-opening win against Minnesota, head coach Mack Brown said.

Brown said that Johnson still has two years of eligibility to play if the quarterback opts to take a medical redshirt. Johnson is expected to make a full recovery, Brown said.

“He couldn’t walk when he tried to walk off,” Brown said of Johnson’s injury.

Johnson will miss the remainder of the 2024 season. The quarterback is still in Minnesota after undergoing an initial surgery, Brown said.

Brown said Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck called him to ask if he could visit Johnson and his family in the hospital. Brown said he appreciated Fleck and the Minnesota medical staff’s efforts after Johnson’s injury.

“We need to get him back and get him back involved in our program,” Brown said of Johnson.

Brown said the team gave Johnson the game ball after Thursday’s win. Also, Brown said he wants Johnson to help coach quarterbacks Conner Harrell and Jacolby Criswell.

On Thursday, Harrell replaced Johnson.

Harrell completed 2-of-4 passes for 34 yards and rushed three times for minus-3 yards in the game. He had a key 32-yard pass to J.J. Jones to set up the go-ahead field goal. Harrell appeared set to run the ball before lobbing a pass to an open Jones.

Harrell, a sophomore, is expected to make his second career start this weekend when the Tar Heels host Charlotte at Keenan Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The game airs on ACC Network.

“He’s just got to get confidence and go,” Brown said of Harrell as a starting quarterback. “It’s his. It’s his.”

Brown said the team would rally around Harrell.

On Thursday, Harrell had a key 32-yard pass to wide receiver J.J. Jones to set up the go-ahead field goal. Harrell appeared set to run the ball before lobbing a pass to an open Jones.

“[Harrell made] the play to win the game,” Brown said of the play. “It is an unbelievable play to win a game that most people can’t [make] and going to his left.”

Brown said Monday the team opted to start Johnson due to his previous collegiate experience playing at Texas A&M and LSU. Now, Brown will work to prepare Harrell and Criswell.

The Tar Heels will rely upon preseason All-American running back Omarion Hampton to move the ball. Hampton had 129 yards rushing on 30 carries against Minnesota.

“Obviously, everybody is going to stack the box to stop [No.] 28 [Hampton],” Brown said. “So, everything you do is to counteract that.”

Brown said Monday the offensive plan is to be a physical running team to help set up the play-action pass.

Source: wralsportsfan.com