Kaimon Rucker injury update: UNC EDGE out after undergoing lower-body procedure

North Carolina EDGE Kaimon Rucker has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against Charlotte, the program announced. He is undergoing a procedure on his lower body and will be out multiple weeks.

Rucker had a solid day in last week’s opener against Minnesota. He totaled four tackles and a sack in UNC’s road victory over the Golden Gophers, which came down to the final seconds.

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Last season, Kaimon Rucker put up the best numbers of his career in Chapel Hill. He totaled 61 tackles and 8.5 sacks to serve as a centerpiece of the North Carolina defense entering his fifth season with the Tar Heels.

North Carolina is dealing with multiple injuries ahead of the matchup with Charlotte, but the most notable is under center. Max Johnson suffered a broken leg in the victory over Minnesota and is out for the year. That means Connor Harrell will take over at quarterback for the rest of the season.

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Despite the change at quarterback, Harrell said he expects business as usual as North Carolina goes through the rest of the season. His preparation won’t change.

“Nothing different,” Harrell said earlier this week. “Yeah, I know, nothing different. Just preparing like I always would. Nothing different.”

“I’d say – I said this in the last interview also. I always have to prepare like I’m going to play because I get my opportunity, I’m not ready, and then, you know, that’s not the best,” Harrell said. “So I always have to prepare week-to-week like I’m going to play. You know, I try to do that. I try to be the same person week-to-week.”

As for Johnson, his college career isn’t over. The Texas A&M transfer announced his plans to return for a fifth season of college football in 2025, likely taking a medical redshirt to do so.

“I have a lot of football left in me, and know I will be back out there next year,” Johnson said to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.