North Carolina quarterback Max Johnson was carted off the field after suffering a leg injury late in the third quarter of Thursday night’s game against Minnesota. Johnson’s right leg was trapped under him and bent at an awkward angle as he attempted to avoid a sack by throwing the ball away.
Team trainers initially tried to help Johnson off the field, but eventually placed him on a cart when it became apparent that his leg couldn’t support any weight.
FOX’s television cameras showed Max’s parents, Brad and Nikki, visibly upset in the stands — and understandably so. This was Johnson’s first game at North Carolina after transferring in from Texas A&M, where he appeared in 12 games over two years. Johnson does have one year of eligibility remaining.
Prior to exiting the game, Johnson completed 12 of his 19 pass attempts for 71 yards with one interception. He also had 10 rushing yards, three of which came on a touchdown scramble in the second quarter. That stood as North Carolina’s only touchdown at the time of Johnson’s injury.
Sophomore quarterback Conner Harrell entered in Johnson’s stead and guided the Tar Heels to a 52-yard field goal that cut Minnesota’s lead to 14-13 entering the fourth quarter. The Tar Heels would hold on to win the game 19-17 after Minnesota missed what would have been a game-winning field goal as time expired.
A former three-star prospect out of Watkinsville, Georgia, Johnson initially signed with LSU in the 2020 Class and spent two seasons with the Tigers, starting all 12 games in 22 as a sophomore with the Tigers.
Max’s father, Brian, played 17 seasons in the NFL and won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
