When Max Johnson went down in a heap holding his right and was eventually carted off with a lower body injury, there was a lot of concern about the severity of the injury and how long he might be out. Unfortunately, those fears that he would miss a lengthy period of time have been confirmed this afternoon.
As first reported by Inside Carolina, Johnson will miss the remainder of the 2024 season after undergoing successful surgery this morning on a broken femur. The injury occurred late in the third quarter on Thursday night on an incompletion intended for Paul Billups II where he was being pressured and had his right leg fallen on by Minnesota corner Justin Walley. Johnson is accompanied by his parents in Minneapolis and will return to Chapel Hill in a few days.
The good news for Johnson is that he is a prime candidate for a medical redshirt after playing in just one game this year. If he gets it, he would have two years of eligibility remaining.
The injury came as Johnson was settling into the game after a rough first half. Heading into the locker room at halftime, he was just 4-10 for 28 yards and an interception. In his final two drives of the game after coming out of the half, he was 8-10 for 43 yards and helped lead the team down for a field goal on a drive that took 8:21 off the clock. Unfortunately, he will finish his first season with the Tar Heels with 71 yards and an interception on 12-19 passing and a rushing touchdown.
With him done for the season, the expectation is that the Tar Heels will now turn to Conner Harrell who replaced him and helped lead the team to the win last night. While Harrell may not have been great last night (2-4, 35 yds, 3 rush, -3 yds), the game plan did not seem to be set up for him like it was for last year’s bowl game. The hope is that with a week to prepare and a beatable Charlotte team coming to Chapel Hill for the home opener, he’ll be able to show us the potential that he did in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. If he struggles again, don’t be shocked if the staff starts working to try to get Jacolby Criswell ready to compete in the near future.
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