By Brian Murphy, WRAL

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

North Carolina starting quarterback Max Johnson will miss the rest of the 2024 season after suffering a broken right leg in Thursday night’s season-opening victory at Minnesota.

Johnson, a transfer from Texas A&M, underwent surgery on the leg in Minneapolis on Friday. He is expected to make a full recovery, UNC said in a statement. Johnson will return to Chapel Hill in a few days.

Johnson completed 12-of-19 passes for 71 yards and one interception in the game. After struggling in the first half, Johnson was 8-of-9 in the second half. Johnson also rushed for 10 yards and a touchdown.

“I thought the coaches gave him some better opportunities, and then I thought Max settled down and had more confidence in that third quarter,” UNC head coach Mack Brown said after the game.

He was injured in the third quarter when his leg bent bent awkwardly while being taken to the ground on a blitz by Minnesota’s Justin Walley.

Johnson immediately clutched his right knee and stayed down for several minutes. After beginning to limp off with assistance from the medical staff, he was instead put on a cart to be taken off the field.

Brown said Johnson was in a lot of pain on the field.

“We all were trying to talk to him, but he was really in pain,” Brown said. “So we were just trying to pick him up and I was so proud of those kids. They all came over and they were all patting him on the leg, and saying, ‘We’re proud of you.’ But he was just in a little bit of shock and trying to figure it all out himself.”

Brown said the Tar Heels awarded Johnson a game ball for the victory. Johnson does have another year of eligibility remaining, a UNC spokesman confirmed.

Conner Harrell replaced Johnson as the Tar Heels’ quarterback. The Tar Heels won 19-17.

“Conner never pouted about not starting,” Brown said. “He was all in, and when he came off the bench, he said, ‘Let’s go. I’m ready to play.'”

Johnson, the son of former NFL quarterback Brad Johnson, started his college career at LSU. Thursday night was the 23rd career start for the fifth-year player.

Johnson has thrown for 5,924 yards and 47 touchdowns in those five seasons.

Without Johnson, the Tar Heels will turn to Harrell, a sophomore. Harrell started UNC’s bowl game in 2023 after backing up starter Drake Maye throughout the season.

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.

“That play he made, where he could run and throw, is who he is,” Brown said.

He said Harrell is one of the team’s best leaders.

“He’s going to be fine,” Brown said. “I’m not worried about him. We’ve got to find out, we’ve got to make sure that we get a package that he can do.”

Senior Jacolby Criswell likely becomes the team’s backup quarterback. Criswell spent three seasons with the Tar Heels before transferring to Arkansas for the 2023 season. He returned to Chapel Hill for this season.

UNC hosts Charlotte on Saturday, Sept. 7.

Source: wralsportsfan.com