Max Johnson injury: North Carolina quarterback carted off field after falling awkwardly on leg against Minnesota

North Carolina quarterback Max Johnson was carted off the field after suffering a leg injury in the third quarter of Thursday night’s game against Minnesota. Johnson’s right leg was trapped underneath him and twisted at an awkward angle as he attempted to throw the ball and avoid a sack.

Team trainers initially tried to help Johnson off the field, but he was eventually placed on a cart when it became clear his leg could not bear any more weight.

Fox’s television cameras showed Max’s parents, Brad and Nikki, visibly upset in the stands – and it’s understandable. This was Johnson’s first game at North Carolina after transferring from Texas A&M, where he played 12 games in two years. Johnson has one year of eligibility remaining.

Before exiting the game, Johnson completed 12 of 19 pass attempts for 71 yards, including one interception. He also scored 10 rushing yards, three of which came on a touchdown scramble in the second quarter. This was North Carolina’s only touchdown at the time of Johnson’s injury.

Sophomore quarterback Connor Harrell entered in place of Johnson and led the Tar Heels to a 52-yard field goal that cut Minnesota’s lead to 14–13 entering the fourth quarter. The Tar Heels went on to win the game 19–17 after Minnesota missed what would have been a game-winning field goal as time expired.

Johnson, a former three-star player from Watkinsville, Georgia, initially signed with LSU in the 2020 class and spent two seasons with the Tigers, starting all 12 of 22 games 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.